Growth differentiation factor-8 nucleic acid and polypeptides from aquatic species and non-human transgenic aquatic species

ABSTRACT

A transgenic non-human aquatic organisms, such as piscine, crustacea, mollusks, and the like, having a transgene which results in disrupting the production of and/or activity of growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) chromosomally integrated into the germ cells of the animal is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for making such organisms and nucleic acid sequences encoding GDF-8 polypeptides from such aquatic organisms.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/967,089, filed Nov. 10, 1997, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/795,071, filed Feb. 5, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,994,618), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/525,596, filed, Oct. 25, 1996 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,733), which is a 371 application of PCT/US94/03019, filed Mar. 18, 1994, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/033,923, filed Mar. 19, 1993, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) and specifically to nucleic acid sequences encoding GDF-8 polypeptide from a variety of aquatic organisms, as well as transgenic aquatic organisms having a disrupted. GDF-8 gene and methods of making the same.

2. Description of Related Art

The transforming growth factor (TGF-β) superfamily encompasses a group of structurally-related proteins which affect a wide range of differentiation processes during embryonic development. The family includes, Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS), which is required for normal male sex development (Behringer, et al., Nature, 345:167, 1990), Drosophila decapentaplegic (DPP) gene product, which is required for dorsal-ventral axis formation and morphogenesis of the imaginal disks (Padgett, et al., Nature, 325:81-84, 1987), the Xenopus Vg-1 gene product, which localizes to the vegetal pole of eggs ((Weeks, et al., Cell, 51:861-867, 1987), the activins (Mason, et al., Biochem, Biophys. Res. Commun., 135:957-964, 1986), which can induce the formation of mesoderm and anterior structures in Xenopus embryos (Thomsen, et al., Cell, 63:485, 1990), and the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs, osteogenin, OP-1) which can induce de novo cartilage and bone formation (Sampath, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265:13198, 1990). The TGF-β can influence a variety of differentiation processes, including adipogenesis, myogenesis, chondrogenesis, hematopolesis, and epithelial cell differentiation (for review, see Massague, Cell 49:437, 1987).

The proteins of the TGF-β family are initially synthesized as a large precursor protein which subsequently undergoes proteolytic cleavage at a cluster of basic residues approximately 110-140 amino acids from the C-terminus. The C-terminal regions, or mature regions, of the proteins are all structurally related and the different family members can be classified into distinct subgroups based on the extent of their homology. Although the homologies within particular subgroups range from 70% to 90% amino acid sequence identity, the homologies between subgroups are significantly lower, generally ranging from only 20% to 50%. In each case, the active species appears to be a disulfide-linked dimer of C-terminal fragments. Studies have shown that when the pro-region of a member of the TGF-β family is coexpressed with a mature region of another member of the TGF-family, intracellular dimerization and secretion of biologically active homodimers occur (Gray, A. et al., Science, 247:1328, 1990). Additional studies by Hammonds, et al., (Molec. Endocrin. 5:149, 1991) showed that the use of the BMP-2 pro-region combined with the BMP-4 mature region led to dramatically improved expression of mature BMP-4. For most of the family members that have been studied, the homodimeric species has been found to be biologically active, but for other family members, like the inhibins (Ling, et al., Nature, 321:779, 1986) and the TGF-βs (Cheifetz, et al., Cell, 48:409, 1987), heterodimers have also been detected, and these appear to have different biological properties than the respective homodimers.

In addition it is desirable to produce livestock and game animals, such as cows, sheep, pigs, chicken and turkey, fish which are relatively high in musculature and protein, and low in fat content. Many drug and diet regimens exist which may help increase muscle and protein content and lower undesirably high fat and/or cholesterol levels, but such treatment is generally administered after the fact, and is begun only after significant damage has occurred to the vasculature. Accordingly, it would be desirable to produce animals which are genetically predisposed to having higher muscle content, without any ancillary increase in fat levels.

The food industry has put much effort into increasing the amount of muscle and protein in foodstuffs. This quest is relatively simple in the manufacture of synthetic foodstuffs, but has been met with limited success in the preparation of animal foodstuffs. Attempts have been made, for example, to lower cholesterol levels in beef and poultry products by including cholesterol-lowering drugs in animal feed (see e.g. Elkin and Rogler, J. Agric. Food Chem. 1990, 38, 1635-1641). However, there remains a need for more effective methods of increasing muscle and reducing fat and cholesterol levels in animal food products.

The U.S. market for seafood is large and growing with per capita seafood consumption rising 23% in the last decade. During this period, the consumer price index for seafood jumped 244%, while red meat prices rose only half that amount. Despite efforts to manage wild finfish and shellfish populations at a sustained yield level, the U.S. consumes increasingly greater amounts than it produces from its fishers, thus depleting the resource. Ocean harvests worldwide are expected to meet only 90 million metric tons of the projected demand of 114 million metric tons in the year 2000 (Harvey, 1990).

Gene transfer technique has become a new and powerful approach to manipulate the genetic and phenotypic characteristic of both animals and plants. Various reports have been made in the production of transgenic fish and other aquatic organisms. The first transgenic study on fish was reported by Vielkind et al. (1982). These investigators injected swordtail tumor genes into the Platyfish, and found that the injected swordtail Tu genes could induce T-melanophore induction in Tu-free Platyfish. In 1985 and 1986, Zhu et al. reported the production of transgenic fish by growth hormone gene transfer. Using a aquatic animal metallothionein promoter ligated to a human GH structural gene, they successfully produced transgenic loach, goldfish and silver carp. On the average, the transgenic fish was 1 to 3 times larger than control. Since then, several reports using similar gene constructs have been published (Rokkones et al. 1989, Guyomarde et al. 1989, Chen et al. 1990).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a cell growth and differentiation factor, GDF-8, a polynucleotide sequence which encodes the factor, and antibodies which are immunoreactive with the factor. This factor appears to relate to various cell proliferative disorders, especially those involving muscle, nerve, and adipose tissue.

In another embodiment, the subject invention provides non-human transgenic animals which are useful as a source of food products with high muscle and protein content, and reduced fat and cholesterol content. The animals have been altered chromosomally in their germ cells and somatic cells so that the production of GDF-8 is produced in reduced amounts, or is completely disrupted, resulting in animals with decreased levels of GDF-8 in their system and higher than normal levels of muscle tissue, preferably without increased fat and/or cholesterol levels. Accordingly, the present invention also includes food products provided by the animals. Such food products have increased nutritional value because of the increase in muscle tissue. The transgenic non-human animals of the invention include bovine, porcine, piscine, ovine and avian animals, for example. More particularly, the transgenic non-human animals include aquatic organisms, such as finfish, shrimp, lobster, crab, squid, oysters and abalone, for example.

In one embodiment, introduction of the DNA is accomplished by electroporating a nucleic acid sequence encoding the transgene of interest into a fertilized aquatic organism egg, for example, a fertilized abalone or finfish egg. Typically, the DNA sequence is flanked by regulatory sequences which are effective to allow expression of the DNA sequence in the transgenic organism.

The subject invention also provides a method of producing animal food products having increased muscle content. The method includes modifying the genetic makeup of the germ cells of a pronuclear embryo of the animal, implanting the embryo into the oviduct of a pseudopregnant female thereby allowing the embryo to mature to full term progeny, testing the progeny for presence of the transgene to identify transgene-positive progeny, cross-breeding transgene-positive progeny to obtain further transgene-positive progeny and processing the progeny to obtain foodstuff. The modification of the germ cell comprises altering the genetic composition so as to disrupt or reduce the expression of the naturally occurring gene encoding for production of GDF-8 protein. In a particular embodiment, the transgene comprises antisense polynucleotide sequences to a nucleotide sequence encoding a GDF-8 protein. Alternatively, the transgene may comprise a non-functional sequence which replaces or intervenes in the native GDF-8 gene or which encodes a dominant negative GDF-8 protein.

The subject invention also provides a method of producing avian food products having improved muscle content. The method includes modifying the genetic makeup of the germ cells of a pronuclear embryo of the avian animal, implanting the embryo into the oviduct of a pseudopregnant female into an embryo of a chicken, culturing the embryo under conditions whereby progeny are hatched, testing the progeny for presence of the genetic alteration to identify transgene-positive progeny, cross-breeding transgene-positive progeny and processing the progeny to obtain foodstuff.

The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding GDF-8 from aquatic organisms and polypeptides encoded by such sequences. Also included are vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acid sequences. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding finfish are provided, including zebrafish and salmon (see FIGS. 2e-g; SEQ ID NO:28-33).

These and other objects and features of the invention will be more fully appreciated when the following detailed description of the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a Northern blot showing expression of GDF-8 mRNA in adult tissues. The probe was a partial murine GDF-8 clone.

FIG. 1B is a Southern blot showing GDF-8 genomic sequences identified in mouse, rat, human, monkey, rabbit, cow, pig, dog and chicken.

FIGS. 2A to 2G show nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences of murine GDF-8 (FIG. 2A; SEQ ID NO:5, 6), human GDF-8 (FIG. 2B; SEQ ID NO:5, 6), rat GDF-8 (FIG. 2C; SEQ ID NO:20, 21), chicken GDF-8 (FIG. 2D; SEQ ID NO:18, 19), zebrafish (FIGS. 2E-1 and 2E-2; SEQ ID NO:28, 29), salmon 1 (FIG. 2F; SEQ ID NO:30,31) and salmon 2 (FIG. 2G; SEQ ID NO:32,33). The putative dibasic processing sites in the murine sequence are boxed.

FIG. 3A shows the alignment of the C-terminal sequences of GDF-8 with other members of the TGF-β superfamily (SEQ ID NOS: 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 34 to 41, respectively). The conserved cysteine residues are boxed. Dashes denote gaps introduced in order to maximize alignment.

FIG. 3B shows the alignment of the C-terminal sequences of GDF-8 from human (SEQ ID NO:14), murine (SEQ ID NO:12), rat (SEQ ID NO:21) and chicken (SEQ ID NO:19) sequences.

FIGS. 3C and 3E show the alignment of the zebrafish amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:29) for GDF-8 with murine GDF-8(SEQ ID NO:12), as well as the C-terminal sequences from 2 alleles of salmon, (salmon 1, SEQ ID NO: 31: and salmon 2, SEQ ID NO:33).

FIG. 4 shows amino acid homologies among different members of the TGF superfamily. Numbers represent percent amino acid identities between each pair calculated from the first conserved cysteine to the C-terminus. Boxes represent homologies among highly-related members within particular subgroups.

FIG. 5 shows the sequence of GDF-8. Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of murine (FIGS. 5A and 5B; SEQ ID NOS:11 and 12; GenBank accession number U84005) and human (FIG. 5C and 5D; SEQ ID NOS:13 and 14) GDF-8 cDNA clones are shown. Numbers indicate nucleotide position relative to the 5′ end. Consensus N-linked glycosylation signals are shaded. The putative RXXR proteolytic cleavage sites are boxed.

FIG. 6 shows a hydropathicity profile of GDF-8. Average hydrophobicity values for murine (FIG. 6A) and human (FIG. 6B) GDF-8 were calculated using the method of Kyte and Doolittle (J. Mol. Biol., 157:105-132, 1982). Positive numbers indicate increasing hydrophobicity.

FIG. 7 shows a comparison of murine (SEQ ID NO:12) and human (SEQ ID NO:14) GDF-8 amino acid sequences. The predicted murine sequence is shown in the top lines and the predicted human sequence is shown in the bottom lines. Numbers indicate amino acid position relative to the N-terminus. Identities between the two sequences are denoted by a vertical line.

FIG. 8 shows the expression of GDF-8 in bacteria. BL21 (DE3) (pLysS) cells carrying a pRSET/GDF-8 expression plasmid were induced with isopropylthio-N-galactoside, and the GDF-8 fusion protein was purified by metal chelate chromatography. Lanes: total=total cell lysate; soluble=soluble protein fraction; insoluble=insoluble protein fraction (resuspended in 10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 50 mM sodium phosphate, 8 M urea, and 10 mM β-mercaptoethanol {buffer B}) loaded onto the column, pellet=insoluble protein fraction discarded before loading the column; flowthrough=proteins not bound by the column; washes=washes carried out in buffer B at the indicated pH's. Positions of molecular weight standards are shown at the right. Arrow indicates the position of the GDF-8 fusion protein.

FIG. 9 shows the expression of GDF-8 in mammalian cells. Chinese hamster ovary cells were transfected with pMSXND/GDF-8 expression plasmids and selected in G418. Conditioned media from G418-resistant cells (prepared from cells transfected with constructs in which GDF-8 was cloned in either the antisense or sense orientation) were concentrated, electrophoresed under reducing conditions, blotted, and probed with anti-GDF-8 antibodies and (¹²⁵I)-iodoprotein A. Arrow indicates the position of the processed GDF-8 protein.

FIG. 10 shows the expression of GDF-8 mRNA. Poly A-selected RNA (5 μg each) prepared from adult tissues (FIG. 10A) or placentas end embryos (FIG. 10B) at the indicated days of gestation was electrophoresed on formaldehyde gels, blotted, and probed with full length murine GDF-8.

FIG. 11 shows chromosomal mapping of human GDF-8. DNA samples prepared from human/rodent somatic cell hybrid lines were subjected to PCR, electrophoresed on agarose gels, blotted, and probed. The human chromosome contained in each of the hybrid cell lines is identified at the top of each of the first 24 lanes (1-22, X, and Y). In the lanes designated M, CHO, and H, the starting DNA template was total genomic DNA from mouse, hamster, and human sources, respectively. In the lane marked B1, no template DNA was used. Numbers at left indicate the mobilities of DNA standards.

FIG. 12A shows a map of the GDF-8 locus (top line) and targeting construct (second line). The black and stippled boxes represent coding sequences for the pro- and C-terminal regions, respectively. The white boxes represent 5′ and 3′ untranslated sequences. A probe derived from the region downstream of the 3′ homology fragment and upstream of the most distal HindIII site shown hybridizes to an 11.2 kb HindIII fragment in the GDF-8 gene and a 10.4 kb fragment in an homologously targeted gene. Abbreviations: H, HindIII; X, Xba I.

FIG. 12B shows a Southern blot analysis of offspring derived from a mating of heterozygous mutant mice. The lanes are as follows: DNA prepared from wild type 129 SV/J mice (lane 1), targeted embryonic stem cells (lane 2), F1 heterozygous mice (lanes 3 and 4), and offspring derived from a mating of these mice (lanes 5-13).

FIG. 13 shows the muscle fiber size distribution in mutant and wild type littermates. Smallest cross-sectional fiber widths were measured for (FIG. 13A) wild type (n=1761) and mutant (n=1052) tibialis cranialis or (FIG. 13B) wild type (n=900) and mutant (n=900) gastrocnemius muscles, and fiber sizes were plotted as a percent of total fiber number. Standard deviations were 9 and 10 μm, respectively, for wild type and mutant tibialis cranialis and 11 and 9 μm, respectively, for wild type and mutant gastrocnemius muscles. Legend: o-o, wild type; ⋄-⋄, mutant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a growth and differentiation factor, GDF-8 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding GDF-8. GDF-8 is expressed at highest levels in muscle and at lower levels in adipose tissue.

The animals contemplated for use in the practice of the subject invention are those animals generally regarded as useful for the processing of food stuffs, i.e. avian such as meat bred and egg laying chicken and turkey, ovine such as lamb, bovine such as beef cattle and milk cows, piscine, aquatic organisms, and porcine. For purposes of the subject invention, these animals are referred to as “transgenic” when such animal has had a heterologous DNA sequence, or one or more additional DNA sequences normally endogenous to the animal (collectively referred to herein as “transgenes”) chromosomally integrated into the germ cells of the animal. The transgenic animal (including its progeny) will also have the transgene fortuitously integrated into the chromosomes of somatic cells.

The TGF-β superfamily consists of multifunctional polypeptides that control proliferation, differentiation, and other functions in many cell types. Many of the peptides have regulatory, both positive and negative, effects on other peptide growth factors. The structural homology between the GDF-8 protein of this invention and the members of the TGF-β family, indicates that GDF-8 is a new member of the family of growth and differentiation factors. Based on the known activities of many of the other members, it can be expected that GDF-8 will also possess biological activities that will make it useful as a diagnostic and therapeutic reagent.

In particular, certain members of this superfamily have expression patterns or possess activities that relate to the function of the nervous system. For example, the inhibins and activins have been shown to be expressed in the brain (Meunier, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 85:247, 1988; Sawchenko, et al., Nature, 334:615, 1988), and activin has been shown to be capable of functioning as a nerve cell survival molecule (Schubert, et al., Nature, 344:868, 1990). Another family member, namely, GDF-1, is nervous system-specific in its expression pattern (Lee, S. J., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 88:4250, 1991), and certain other family members, such as Vgr-1 (Lyons, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 86:4554, 1989; Jones, et al., Development, 111:531, 1991), OP-1 (Ozkaynak, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 267:25220, 1992), and BMP-4 (Jones, et al., Development, 111:531, 1991), are also known to be expressed in the nervous system. Because it is known that skeletal muscle produces a factor or factors that promote the survival of motor neurons (Brown, Trends Neurosci., 7:10, 1984), the expression of GDF-8 in muscle suggests that one activity of GDF-8 may be as a trophic factor for neurons. In this regard, GDF-8 may have applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or muscular dystrophy, or in maintaining cells or tissues in culture prior to transplantation.

GDF-8 may also have applications in treating disease processes involving muscle, such as in musculodegenerative diseases or in tissue repair due to trauma. In this regard, many other members of the TGF-β family are also important mediators of tissue repair. TGF-β has been shown to have marked effects on the formation of collagen and to cause a striking angiogenic response in the newborn mouse (Roberts, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 83:4167, 1986). TGF-β has also been shown to inhibit the differentiation of myoblasts in culture (Massague, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 83:8206, 1986). Moreover, because myoblast cells may be used as a vehicle for delivering genes to muscle for gene therapy, the properties of GDF-8 could be exploited for maintaining cells prior to transplantation or for enhancing the efficiency of the fusion.

The expression of GDF-8 in adipose tissue also raises the possibility of applications for GDF-8 in the treatment of obesity or of disorders related to abnormal proliferation of adipocytes. In this regard, TGF-β has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of adipocyte differentiation in vitro (Ignotz and Massague, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 82:8530, 1985).

The term “substantially pure” as used herein refers to GDF-8 which is substantially free of other proteins, lipids, carbohydrates or other materials with which it is naturally associated. One skilled in the art can purify GDF-8 using standard techniques for protein purification. The substantially pure polypeptide will yield a single major band on a non-reducing polyacrylamide gel. The purity of the GDF-8 polypeptide can also be determined by amino-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. GDF-8 polypeptide includes functional fragments of the polypeptide, as long as the activity of GDF-8 remains. Smaller peptides containing the biological activity of GDF-8 are included in the invention.

The invention provides polynucleotides encoding the GDF-8 protein. These polynucleotides include DNA, cDNA and RNA sequences which encode GDF-8. It is understood that all polynucleotides encoding all or a portion of GDF-8 are also included herein, as long as they encode a polypeptide with GDF-8 activity. Such polynucleotides include naturally occurring, synthetic, and intentionally manipulated polynucleotides. For example, GDF-8 polynucleotide may be subjected to site-directed mutagenesis. The polynucleotide sequence for GDF-8 also includes antisense sequences. The polynucleotides of the invention include sequences that are degenerate as a result of the genetic code. There are 20 natural amino acids, most of which are specified by more than one codon. Therefore, all degenerate nucleotide sequences are included in the invention as long as the amino acid sequence of GDF-8 polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide sequence is functionally unchanged.

Specifically disclosed herein is a genomic DNA sequence containing a portion of the GDF-8 gene. The sequence contains an open reading frame corresponding to the predicted C-terminal region of the GDF-8 precursor protein. The encoded polypeptide is predicted to contain two potential proteolytic processing sites (KR and RR). Cleavage of the precursor at the downstream site would generate a mature biologically active C-terminal fragment of 109 and 103 amino acids for murine and human species, respectively, with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 12,400. Also disclosed are full length murine and human GDF-8 cDNA sequences. The murine pre-pro-GDF-8 protein is 376 amino acids in length, which is encoded by a 2676 base pair nucleotide sequence, beginning at nucleotide 104 and extending to a TGA stop codon at nucleotide 1232. The human GDF-8 protein is 375 amino acids and is encoded by a 2743 base pair sequence, with the open reading frame beginning at nucleotide 59 and extending to nucleotide 1184. GDF-8 is also capable of forming dimers, or heterodimers, with an expected molecular weight of approximately 23-30 KD (see Example 4). For example, GDF-8 may form heterodimers with other family members, such as GDF-11.

Also provided herein are the biologically active C-terminal fragments of chicken (FIG. 2c) and rat (FIG. 2d) GDF-8. As shown in FIG. 3b, alignment of the amino acid sequences of human, murine, rat and chicken GDF-8 indicate that the sequences are 100% identical in the C-terminal biologically active fragment. Therefore, it would now be routine for one of skill in the art to obtain the GDF-8 nucleic acid and amino acid sequence for GDF-8 from any species, including those provided herein, as well as porcine, bovine, ovine, and piscine.

The nucleic acid sequences and deduced amino acid sequences for zebrafish, allele 1 of salmon, and allele 2 of salmon, are shown in FIGS. 2e, 2 f, and 2 g, respectively. FIGS. 3c and 3 d show an amino acid sequence alignment between murine, zebrafish, and salmon (alleles 1 and 2) GDF-8.

The C-terminal sequences are highly conserved. Cleavage of the precursor at the downstream site would generate a mature biologically active C-terminal fragment of 109 for murine GDF-8. Comparing the fish sequences with murine in the C-terminal fragment, there are only 14 amino acid differences, which is approximately 88% identity. Accordingly, the invention provides GDF-8 nucleic acid sequences encoding a GDF-8 polypeptide of an aquatic animal, wherein the GDF-8 polypeptide has a biologically active C-terminal fragment that is at least about 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95% identical to murine GDF-8 polypeptide as shown in FIGS. 3c-3 d or FIG. 2a. In particular, the invention provides several finfish GDF-8 polynucleotides that encode a GDF-8 polypeptide having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:29 (FIG. 2e), SEQ ID NO:31 (FIG. 2f) or SEQ ID NO:33 (FIG. 2g).

In one embodiment, the invention provides an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of a) SEQ ID NO:28 (FIG. 2e); b) SEQ ID NO:30 (FIG. 2f); c) SEQ ID NO:32 (FIG. 2g); d) SEQ ID NO:28 wherein T can also be U; e) SEQ ID NO:30, wherein T can also be U; f) SEQ ID NO:32, wherein T can also be U; g) nucleic acid sequences complementary to SEQ ID NO:28; h) nucleic acid sequences complementary to SEQ ID NO:30; i) nucleic acid sequences complementary to SEQ ID NO:32; j) fragments of a) d), or g) that are at least 15 bases in length and that will hybridize under moderate to highly stringent conditions to DNA which encodes the GDF-8 protein of SEQ ID NO:29; j) fragments of b) e), or h) that are at least 15 bases in length and that will hybridize under moderate to highly stringent conditions to DNA which encodes the GDF-8 protein of SEQ ID NO:31; and k) fragments of c) f), or i) that are at least 15 bases in length and that will hybridize under moderate to highly stringent conditions to DNA which encodes the GDF-8 protein of SEQ ID NO:33.

The C-terminal region of GDF-8 following the putative proteolytic processing site shows significant homology to the known members of the TGF-beta superfamily. The GDF-8 sequence contains most of the residues that are highly conserved in other family members and in other species(see FIGS. 3a and 3 b). Like the TGF-beta and inhibin betas, GDF-8 contains an extra pair of cysteine residues in addition to the 7 cysteines found in virtually all other family members. Among the known family members, GDF-8 is most homologous to Vgr-1 (45% sequence identity) (see FIG. 4).

Minor modifications of the recombinant GDF-8 primary amino acid sequence may result in proteins which have substantially equivalent activity as compared to the GDF-8 polypeptide described herein. Such modifications may be deliberate, as by site-directed mutagenesis, or may be spontaneous. All of the polypeptides produced by these modifications are included herein as long as the biological activity of GDF-8 still exists. Further, deletion of one or more amino acids can also result in a modification of the structure of the resultant molecule without significantly altering its biological activity. This can lead to the development of a smaller active molecule which would have broader utility. For example, one can remove amino or carboxy terminal amino acids which are not required for GDF-8 biological activity.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the GDF-8 polypeptide of the invention includes the disclosed sequence and conservative variations thereof The term “conservative variation” as used herein denotes the replacement of an amino acid residue by another, biologically similar residue. Examples of conservative variations include the substitution of one hydrophobic residue such as isoleucine, valine, leucine or methionine for another, or the substitution of one polar residue for another, such as the substitution of arginine for lysine, glutamic for aspartic acid, or glutamine for asparagine, and the like. The term “conservative variation” also includes the use of a substituted amino acid in place of an unsubstituted parent amino acid provided that antibodies raised to the substituted polypeptide also immunoreact with the unsubstituted polypeptide.

DNA sequences of the invention can be obtained by several methods. For example, the DNA can be isolated using hybridization or computer-based techniques which are well known in the art. These include, but are not limited to: 1) hybridization of genomic or cDNA libraries with probes to detect homologous nucleotide sequences; 2) antibody screening of expression libraries to detect cloned DNA fragments with shared structural features; 3) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on genomic DNA or cDNA using primers capable of annealing to the DNA sequence of interest; 4) computer searches of sequence databases for similar sequences; and 5) differential screening of a subtracted DNA library.

Similarity in nucleic acid sequences may be determined by procedures and algorithms which are well-known in the art. Such procedures and algorithms include, for example, a BLAST program (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool at the National Center for Biological Information), ALIGN, AMAS (Analysis of Multiply Aligned Sequences), AMPS (Protein Multiple Sequence Alignment), ASSET (Aligned Segment Statistical Evaluation Tool), BANDS, BESTSCOR, BIOSCAN (Biological Sequence Comparative Analysis Node), BLIMPS (BLocks IMProved Searcher), FASTA, Intervals & Points, BMB, CLUSTAL V, CLUSTAL W, CONSENSUS, LCONSENSUS, WCONSENSUS, Smith-Waternan algorithm, DARWIN, Las Vegas algorithm, FNAT (Forced Nucleotide Alignment Tool), Framealign, Framesearch, DYNAMIC, FILTER, FSAP (Fristensky Sequence Analysis Package), GAP (Global Alignment Program), GENAL, GIBBS, GenQuest, ISSC (Sensitive Sequence Comparison), LALIGN (Local Sequence Alignment), LCP (Local Content Program), MACAW (Multiple Alignment Construction & Analysis Workbench), MAP (Multiple Alignment Program), MBLKP, MBLKN, PIMA (Pattern-Induced Multi-sequence Alignment), SAGA (Sequence Alignment by Genetic Algorithm) and WHAT-IF.

A GDF-8 polynucleotide of the invention is derived from any organism, including mouse, rat, cow, pig, human, chicken, turkey, finfish and other aquatic organisms and other species. Examples of such aquatic animals include those belonging to the class Piscine such as salmon, trout, char, ayu, carp, crucian carp, goldfish, roach, whitebait, eel, conger eel, sardine, zebrafish, flying fish, sea bass, sea bream, parrot bass, snapper, mackerel, horse mackerel, tuna, bonito, yellowtail, rockfish, fluke, sole, flounder, blowfish, filefish; those belonging to the class Cephalopoda such as squid, cuttlefish, octopus; those belonging to the class Pelecypoda such as clam (e.g., hardshell, Manila, Quahog, Surf, Soft-shell); cockles, mussels, periwinkles; scallops (e.g., sea, bay, calloo); conch, snails, sea cucumbers; ark shell; oyster (e.g., C. virginica, Gulf, New Zealand, Pacific); those belonging to the class Gastropoda such as turban shell, abalone (e.g. green, pink, red); and those belonging to the class Crustacea such as lobster, including but not limited to Spiny, Rock, and American; prawn; shrimp, including but not limited to M. rosenbergii;, P. styllrolls, P. indicus, P. jeponious, P. monodon, P. vannemel, M. ensis, S. melantho, N. norvegious, cold water shrimp; crab, including but not limited to Blue, rook, stone, king, queen, snow, brown, dungeness, Jonah, Mangrove, soft-shelled; , squilla, krill, langostinos; crayfish/crawfish, including but not limited to Blue, Marron, Red Claw, Red Swamp, Soft-shelled, white; Annelida; Chordates, including but not limited to reptiles, such as alligators and turtles; and Amphibians, including frogs; and Echinoderms, including but not limited to sea urchins.

Screening procedures which rely on nucleic acid hybridization make it possible to isolate any gene sequence from any organism using a probe derived from any of the nucleic acid sequences provided herein. For example, one of skill in the art could use a probe derived from the zebrafish or salmon sequences provided herein, in order to identify GDF-8 nucleic acid sequences from other aquatic organisms. In particular, due to the conservation in the C-terminal fragment it might be advantageous to use a nucleic acid probe directed to nucleic acid encoding this portion of GDF-8. Oligonucleotide probes, which correspond to a part of the sequence encoding the protein in question, can be synthesized chemically. This requires that short, oligopeptide stretches of amino acid sequence must be known. The DNA sequence encoding the protein can be deduced from the genetic code, however, the degeneracy of the code must be taken into account. It is possible to perform a mixed addition reaction when the sequence is degenerate. This includes a heterogeneous mixture of denatured double-stranded DNA. For such screening, hybridization is preferably performed on either single-stranded DNA or denatured double-stranded DNA. Hybridization is particularly useful in the detection of cDNA clones derived from sources where an extremely low amount of mRNA sequences relating to the polypeptide of interest are present. In other words, by using stringent hybridization conditions directed to avoid non-specific binding, it is possible, for example, to allow the autoradiographic visualization of a specific cDNA clone by the hybridization of the target DNA to that single probe in the mixture which is its complete complement (Wallace, et al., Nucl. Acid Res. 9:879, 1981).

The development of specific DNA sequences encoding GDF-8 can also be obtained by: 1 ) isolation of double-stranded DNA sequences from the genomic DNA; 2) chemical manufacture of a DNA sequence to provide the necessary codons for the polypeptide of interest; and 3) in vitro synthesis of a double-stranded DNA sequence by reverse transcription of mRNA isolated from a eukaryotic donor cell. In the latter case, a double-stranded DNA complement of mRNA is eventually formed which is generally referred to as cDNA.

Of the three above-noted methods for developing specific DNA sequences for use in recombinant procedures, the isolation of genomic DNA isolates is the least common. This is especially true when it is desirable to obtain the microbial expression of mammalian polypeptides due to the presence of introns.

In nucleic acid hybridization reactions, the conditions used to achieve a particular level of stringency will vary, depending on the nature of the nucleic acids being hybridized. For example, the length, degree of complementarity, nucleotide sequence composition (e.g., GC v. AT content), and nucleic acid type (e.g., RNA v. DNA) of the hybridizing regions of the nucleic acids can be considered in selecting hybridization conditions. An additional consideration is whether one of the nucleic acids is immobilized, for example, on a filter.

An example of progressively higher stringency conditions is as follows: 2×SSC/0.1% SDS at about room temperature (hybridization conditions); 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at about room temperature (low stringency conditions); 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at about 42° C. (moderate stringency conditions); and 0.1×SSC at about 68° C. (high stringency conditions). Washing can be carried out using only one of these conditions, e.g., high stringency conditions, or each of the conditions can be used, e.g., for 10-15 minutes each, in the order listed above, repeating any or all of the steps listed. However, as mentioned above, optimal conditions will vary, depending on the particular hybridization reaction involved, and can be determined empirically. Depending on the species from which the GDF-8 probe is derived, one of skill in the art can use these hybridization guidelines to determine whether or not a positively hybridized sequence is a GDF-8 nucleic acid sequence or not. For example, higher stringency might be used to identify GDF-8 within species than between species. Further, due to the conservation of sequence in the C-terminal region of the polypeptide, probes to nucleotides encoding the C-terminal region may be used at higher stringency.

The synthesis of DNA sequences is frequently the method of choice when the entire sequence of amino acid residues of the desired polypeptide product is known. When the entire sequence of amino acid residues of the desired polypeptide is not known, the direct synthesis of DNA sequences is not possible and the method of choice is the synthesis of cDNA sequences. Among the standard procedures for isolating cDNA sequences of interest is the formation of plasmid- or phage-carrying cDNA libraries which are derived from reverse transcription of mRNA which is abundant in donor cells that have a high level of genetic expression. When used in combination with polymerase chain reaction technology, even rare expression products can be cloned. In those cases where significant portions of the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide are known, the production of labeled single or double-stranded DNA or RNA probe sequences duplicating a sequence putatively present in the target cDNA may be employed in DNA/DNA hybridization procedures which are carried out on cloned copies of the cDNA which have been denatured into a single-stranded form (Jay, et al., Nucl. Acid Res., 11:2325, 1983).

A cDNA expression library, such as lambda gt11, can be screened indirectly for GDF-8 peptides having at least one epitope, using antibodies specific for GDF-8. Such antibodies can be either polyclonally or monoclonally derived and used to detect expression product indicative of the presence of GDF-8 cDNA.

DNA sequences encoding GDF-8 can be expressed in vitro by DNA transfer into a suitable host cell. “Host cells” are cells in which a vector can be propagated and its DNA expressed. The term also includes any progeny of the subject host cell. It is understood that all progeny may not be identical to the parental cell since there may be mutations that occur during replication. However, such progeny are included when the term “host cell” is used. Methods of stable transfer, meaning that the foreign DNA is continuously maintained in the host, are known in the art.

In the present invention, the GDF-8 polynucleotide sequences may be inserted into a recombinant expression vector. The term “recombinant expression vector” refers to a plasmid, virus or other vehicle known in the art that has been manipulated by insertion or incorporation of the GDF-8 genetic sequences. Such expression vectors contain a promoter sequence which facilitates the efficient transcription of the inserted genetic sequence of the host. The expression vector typically contains an origin of replication, a promoter, as well as specific genes which allow phenotypic selection of the transformed cells. Vectors suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to the T7-based expression vector for expression in bacteria (Rosenberg, et al., Gene, 56:125, 1987), the pMSXND expression vector for expression in mammalian cells (Lee and Nathans, J. Biol. Chem., 263:3521, 1988) and baculovirus-derived vectors for expression in insect cells. The DNA segment can be present in the vector operably linked to regulatory elements, for example, a promoter (e.g., T7, metallothionein 1, or polyhedrin promoters).

Polynucleotide sequences encoding GDF-8 can be expressed in either prokaryotes or eukaryotes. Hosts can include microbial, yeast, insect, and mammalian organisms. Methods of expressing DNA sequences having eukaryotic or viral sequences in prokaryotes are well known in the art. Biologically functional viral and plasmid DNA vectors capable of expression and replication in a host are known in the art. Such vectors are used to incorporate DNA sequences of the invention. Preferably, the mature C-terminal region of GDF-8 is expressed from a cDNA clone containing the entire coding sequence of GDF-8. Alternatively, the C-terminal portion of GDF-8 can be expressed as a fusion protein with the pro- region of another member of the TGF- family or coexpressed with another pro-region (see for example, Hammonds, et al., Molec. Endocrin., 5:149, 1991; Gray, A., and Mason, A., Science, 247:1328, 1990).

Transformation of a host cell with recombinant DNA may be carried out by conventional techniques as are well known to those skilled in the art. Where the host is prokaryotic, such as E. coli, competent cells which are capable of DNA uptake can be prepared from cells harvested after exponential growth phase and subsequently treated by the CaCl₂ method using procedures well known in the art. Alternatively, MgCl₂ or RbCl can be used. Transformation can also be performed after forming a protoplast of the host cell if desired.

When the host is a eukaryote, such methods of transfection of DNA as calcium phosphate co-precipitates, conventional mechanical procedures such as microinjection, electroporation, insertion of a plasmid encased in liposomes, or virus vectors may be used. Eukaryotic cells can also be cotransformed with DNA sequences encoding the GDF-8 of the invention, and a second foreign DNA molecule encoding a selectable phenotype, such as the herpes simplex thymidine kinase gene. Another method is to use a eukaryotic viral vector, such as simian virus 40 (SV40) or bovine papilloma virus, to transiently infect or transform eukaryotic cells and express the protein. (see for example, Eukaryotic Viral Vectors, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Gluzman ed., 1982).

Isolation and purification of microbial expressed polypeptide, or fragments thereof, provided by the invention, may be carried out by conventional means including preparative chromatography and immunological separations involving monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies.

The invention includes antibodies immunoreactive with GDF-8 polypeptide or functional fragments thereof. Antibody which consists essentially of pooled monoclonal antibodies with different epitopic specificities, as well as distinct monoclonal antibody preparations are provided. Monoclonal antibodies are made from antigen containing fragments of the protein by methods well known to those skilled in the art (Kohler, et al., Nature, 256:495, 1975). The term antibody as used in this invention is meant to include intact molecules as well as fragments thereof, such as Fab and F(ab′)₂, Fv and SCA fragments which are capable of binding an epitopic determinant on GDF-8.

(1) An Fab fragment consists of a monovalent antigen-binding fragment of an antibody molecule, and can be produced by digestion of a whole antibody molecule with the enzyme papain, to yield a fragment consisting of an intact light chain and a portion of a heavy chain.

(2) An Fab′ fragment of an antibody molecule can be obtained by treating a whole antibody molecule with pepsin, followed by reduction, to yield a molecule consisting of an intact light chain and a portion of a heavy chain. Two Fab′ fragments are obtained per antibody molecule treated in this manner.

(3) An (Fab′)₂ fragment of an antibody can be obtained by treating a whole antibody molecule with the enzyme pepsin, without subsequent reduction. A (Fab′)₂ fragment is a dimer of two Fab′ fragments, held together by two disulfide bonds.

(4) An Fv fragment is defined as a genetically engineered fragment containing the variable region of a light chain and the variable region of a heavy chain expressed as two chains.

(5) A single chain antibody (“SCA”) is a genetically engineered single chain molecule containing the variable region of a light chain and the variable region of a heavy chain, linked by a suitable, flexible polypeptide linker.

As used in this invention, the term “epitope” refers to an antigenic determinant on an antigen, such as a GDF-8 polypeptide, to which the paratope of an antibody, such as an GDF-8-specific antibody, binds. Antigenic determinants usually consist of chemically active surface groupings of molecules, such as amino acids or sugar side chains, and can have specific three-dimensional structural characteristics, as well as specific charge characteristics.

As is mentioned above, antigens that can be used in producing GDF-8-specific antibodies include GDF-8 polypeptides or GDF-8 polypeptide fragments. The polypeptide or peptide used to immunize an animal can be obtained by standard recombinant, chemical synthetic, or purification methods. As is well known in the art, in order to increase immunogenicity, an antigen can be conjugated to a carrier protein. Commonly used carriers include keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), thyroglobulin, bovine serum albumin BSA), and tetanus toxoid. The coupled peptide is then used to immunize the animal (e.g., a mouse, a rat, or a rabbit). In addition to such carriers, well known adjuvants can be administered with the antigen to facilitate induction of a strong immune response.

The term “cell-proliferative disorder” denotes malignant as well as non-malignant cell populations which often appear to differ from the surrounding tissue both morphologically and genotypically. Malignant cells (i.e. cancer) develop as a result of a multistep process. The GDF-8 polynucleotide that is an antisense molecule is useful in treating malignancies of the various organ systems, particularly, for example, cells in muscle or adipose tissue. Essentially, any disorder which is etiologically linked to altered expression of GDF-8 could be considered susceptible to treatment with a GDF-8 agent (e.g., a suppressing or enhancing agent). One such disorder is a malignant cell proliferative disorder, for example.

The invention provides a method for detecting a cell proliferative disorder of muscle or adipose tissue which comprises contacting an anti-GDF-8 antibody with a cell suspected of having a GDF-8 associated disorder and detecting binding to the antibody. The antibody reactive with GDF-8 is labeled with a compound which allows detection of binding to GDF-8. For purposes of the invention, an antibody specific for GDF-8 polypeptide may be used to detect the level of GDF-8 in biological fluids and tissues. Any specimen containing a detectable amount of antigen can be used. A preferred sample of this invention is muscle tissue. The level of GDF-8 in the suspect cell can be compared with the level in a normal cell to determine whether the subject has a GDF-8-associated cell proliferative disorder. Alternatively, GDF-8 nucleic acid can be detected, for example, by Northern Blot analysis, to determine the level of messenger RNA transcribed from GDF-8 DNA. Preferably the subject is human.

The antibodies of the invention can be used in any subject in which it is desirable to administer in vitro or in vivo immunodiagnosis or immunotherapy. The antibodies of the invention are suited for use, for example, in immunoassays in which they can be utilized in liquid phase or bound to a solid phase carrier. In addition, the antibodies in these immunoassays can be detectably labeled in various ways. Examples of types of immunoassays which can utilize antibodies of the invention are competitive and non-competitive immunoassays in either a direct or indirect format. Examples of such immunoassays are the radioimmunoassay (RIA) and the sandwich (immunometric) assay. Detection of the antigens using the antibodies of the invention can be done utilizing immunoassays which are run in either the forward, reverse, or simultaneous modes, including immunohistochemical assays on physiological samples. Those of skill in the art will know, or can readily discern, other immunoassay formats without undue experimentation.

The antibodies of the invention can be bound to many different carriers and used to detect the presence of an antigen comprising the polypeptide of the invention. Examples of well-known carriers include glass, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, dextran, nylon, amylases, natural and modified celluloses, polyacrylamides, agaroses and magnetite. The nature of the carrier can be either soluble or insoluble for purposes of the invention. Those skilled in the art will know of other suitable carriers for binding antibodies, or will be able to ascertain such, using routine experimentation.

There are many different labels and methods of labeling known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Examples of the types of labels which can be used in the present invention include enzymes, radioisotopes, fluorescent compounds, colloidal metals, chemiluminescent compounds, phosphorescent compounds, and bioluminescent compounds. Those of ordinary skill in the art will know of other suitable labels for binding to the antibody, or will be able to ascertain such, using routine experimentation.

Another technique which may also result in greater sensitivity consists of coupling the antibodies to low molecular weight haptens. These haptens can then be specifically detected by means of a second reaction. For example, it is common to use such haptens as biotin, which reacts with avidin, or dinitrophenyi, puridoxal, and fluorescein, which can react with specific antihapten antibodies.

In using the monoclonal antibodies of the invention for the in vivo detection of antigen, the detectably labeled antibody is given a dose which is diagnostically effective. The term “diagnostically effective” means that the amount of detectably labeled monoclonal antibody is administered in sufficient quantity to enable detection of the site having the antigen comprising a polypeptide of the invention for which the monoclonal antibodies are specific.

The concentration of detectably labeled monoclonal antibody which is administered should be sufficient such that the binding to those cells having the polypeptide is detectable compared to the background. Further, it is desirable that the detectably labeled monoclonal antibody be rapidly cleared from the circulatory system in order to give the best target-to-background signal ratio.

As a rule, the dosage of detectably labeled monoclonal antibody for in vivo diagnosis will vary depending on such factors as age, sex, and extent of disease of the individual. Such dosages may vary, for example, depending on whether multiple injections are given, antigenic burden, and other factors known to those of skill in the art.

For in vivo diagnostic imaging, the type of detection instrument available is a major factor in selecting a given radioisotope. The radioisotope chosen must have a type of decay which is detectable for a given type of instrument. Still another important factor in selecting a radioisotope for in vivo diagnosis is that deleterious radiation with respect to the host is minimized. Ideally, a radioisotope used for in vivo imaging will lack a particle emission, but produce a large number of photons in the 140-250 keV range, which may readily be detected by conventional gamma cameras.

For in vivo diagnosis radioisotopes may be bound to immunoglobulin either directly or indirectly by using an intermediate functional group. intermediate functional groups which often are used to bind radioisotopes which exist as metallic ions to immunoglobulins are the bifunctional chelating agents such as diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid (DTPA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and similar molecules. Typical examples of metallic ions which can be bound to the monoclonal antibodies of the invention are ¹¹¹In, ⁹⁷Ru, ⁶⁷Ga, ⁶⁸Ga, ⁷²As, ⁸⁹Zr and ²⁰¹T1.

The monoclonal antibodies of the invention can also be labeled with a paramagnetic isotope for purposes of in vivo diagnosis, as in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or electron spin resonance (ESR). In general, any conventional method for visualizing diagnostic imaging can be utilized. Usually gamma and positron emitting radioisotopes are used for camera imaging and paramagnetic isotopes for MRI. Elements which are particularly useful in such techniques include ¹⁵⁷Gd, ⁵⁵Mn, ¹⁶²Dy, ⁵²Cr, and ⁵⁶Fe.

The monoclonal antibodies of the invention can be used in vitro and in vivo to monitor the course of amelioration of a GDF-8-associated disease in a subject. Thus, for example, by measuring the increase or decrease in the number of cells expressing antigen comprising a polypeptide of the invention or changes in the concentration of such antigen present in various body fluids, it would be possible to determine whether a particular therapeutic regimen aimed at ameliorating the GDF-8-associated disease is effective. The term “ameliorate” denotes a lessening of the detrimental effect of the GDF-8-associated disease in the subject receiving therapy.

The present invention identifies a nucleotide sequence that can be expressed in an altered manner as compared to expression in a normal cell, therefore it is possible to design appropriate therapeutic or diagnostic techniques directed to this sequence. Treatment includes administration of a reagent which modulates activity. The term modulate envisions the suppression or expression of GDF-8 when it is over-expressed, or augmentation of GDF-8 expression when it is underexpressed. When a muscle-associated disorder is associated with GDF-8 overexpression, such suppressive reagents as antisense GDF-8 polynucleotide sequence or GDF-8 binding antibody can be introduced into a cell. In addition, an anti-idiotype antibody which binds to a monoclonal antibody which binds GDF-8 of the invention, or an epitope thereof, may also be used in the therapeutic method of the invention. Alternatively, when a cell proliferative disorder is associated with underexpression or expression of a mutant GDF-8 polypeptide, a sense polynucleotide sequence (the DNA coding strand) or GDF-8 polypeptide can be introduced into the cell. Such muscle-associated disorders include cancer, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, traumatic injury, congestive obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), AIDS or cachecia.

Thus, where a cell-proliferative disorder is associated with the expression of GDF-8, nucleic acid sequences that interfere with GDF-8 expression at the translational level can be used. This approach utilizes, for example, antisense nucleic acid and ribozymes to block translation of a specific GDF-8 mRNA, either by masking that mRNA with an antisense nucleic acid or by cleaving it with a ribozyme. Such disorders include neurodegenerative diseases, for example. In addition, dominant-negative GDF-8 mutants would be useful to actively interfere with function of normal GDF-8.

Antisense nucleic acids are DNA or RNA molecules that are complementary to at least a portion of a specific mRNA molecule (Weintraub, Scientific American, 262:40, 1990). In the cell, the antisense nucleic acids hybridize to the corresponding mRNA, forming a double-stranded molecule. The antisense nucleic acids interfere with the translation of the mRNA, since the cell will not translate a mRNA that is double-stranded.

Antisense oligomers of about 15 nucleotides are preferred, since they are easily synthesized and are less likely to cause problems than larger molecules when introduced into the target GDF-8-producing cell. The use of antisense methods to inhibit the in vitro translation of genes is well known in the art (Marcus-Sakura, Anal. Biochem., 172:289, 1988).

Ribozymes are RNA molecules possessing the ability to specifically cleave other single-stranded RNA in a manner analogous to DNA restriction endonucleases. Through the modification of nucleotide sequences which encode these RNAs, it is possible to engineer molecules that recognize specific nucleotide sequences in an RNA molecule and cleave it (Cech, J. Amer. Med. Assn., 260:3030, 1988). A major advantage of this approach is that, because they are sequence-specific, only mRNAs with particular sequences are inactivated.

There are two basic types of ribozymes namely, tetrahymena-type (Hasselhoff, Nature, 334:585, 1988) and “hammerhead”-type. Tetrahymena-type ribozymes recognize sequences which are four bases in length, while “hamnmerhead”-type ribozymes recognize base sequences 11-18 bases in length. The longer the recognition sequence, the greater the likelihood that the sequence will occur exclusively in the target mRNA species. Consequently, hammerhead-type ribozymes are preferable to tetrahymena-type ribozymes for inactivating a specific mRNA species and 18-based recognition sequences are preferable to shorter recognition sequences.

The present invention also provides gene therapy for the treatment of cell proliferative or immunologic disorders which are mediated by GDF-8 protein. Such therapy would achieve its therapeutic effect by introduction of the GDF-8 antisense polynucleotide into cells having the proliferative disorder. Delivery of antisense GDF-8 polynucleotide can be achieved using a recombinant expression vector such as a chimeric virus or a colloidal dispersion system. Especially preferred for therapeutic delivery of antisense sequences is the use of targeted liposomes. In contrast, when it is desirable to enhance GDF-8 production, a sense GDF-8 polynucleotide is introduced into the appropriate cell(s).

Various viral vectors which can be utilized for gene therapy as taught herein include adenovirus, herpes virus, vaccinia, or, preferably, an RNA virus such as a retrovirus. Preferably, the retroviral vector is a derivative of a murine or avian retrovirus. Examples of retroviral vectors in which a single foreign gene can be inserted include, but are not limited to: Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMuLV), Harvey murine sarcoma virus (HaMuSV), murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV), and Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV). A number of additional retroviral vectors can incorporate multiple genes. All of these vectors can transfer or incorporate a gene for a selectable marker so that transduced cells can be identified and generated. By inserting a GDF-8 sequence of interest into the viral vector, along with another gene which encodes the ligand for a receptor on a specific target cell, for example, the vector is now target specific. Retroviral vectors can be made target specific by attaching, for example, a sugar, a glycolipid, or a protein. Preferred targeting is accomplished by using an antibody to target the retroviral vector. Those of skill in the art will know of, or can readily ascertain without undue experimentation, specific polynucleotide sequences which can be inserted into the retroviral genome or attached to a viral envelope to allow target specific delivery of the retroviral vector containing the GDF-8 antisense polynucleotide.

Since recombinant retroviruses are defective, they require assistance in order to produce infectious vector particles. This assistance can be provided, for example, by using helper cell lines that contain plasmids encoding all of the structural genes of the retrovirus under the control of regulatory sequences within the LTR. These plasmids are missing a nucleotide sequence which enables the packaging mechanism to recognize an RNA transcript for encapsulation. Helper cell lines which have deletions of the packaging signal include, but are not limited to 2,PA317 and PA12, for example. These cell lines produce empty virions, since no genome is packaged. If a retroviral vector is introduced into such cells in which the packaging signal is intact, but the structural genes are replaced by other genes of interest, the vector can be packaged and vector virion produced.

Alternatively, NIH 3T3 or other tissue culture cells can be directly transfected with plasmids encoding the retroviral structural genes gag, pol and env, by conventional calcium phosphate transfection. These cells are then transfected with the vector plasmid containing the genes of interest. The resulting cells release the retroviral vector into the culture medium.

Another targeted delivery system for GDF-8 antisense polynucleotides is a colloidal dispersion system. Colloidal dispersion systems include macromolecule complexes, nanocapsules, microspheres, beads, and lipid-based systems including oil-in-water emulsions, micelles, mixed micelles, and liposomes. The preferred colloidal system of this invention is a liposome. Liposomes are artificial membrane vesicles which are useful as delivery vehicles in vitro and in vivo. It has been shown that large unilamellar vesicles (LUV), which range in size from 0.2-4.0 m can encapsulate a substantial percentage of an aqueous buffer containing large macromolecules. RNA, DNA and intact virions can be encapsulated within the aqueous interior and be delivered to cells in a biologically active form (Fraley, et al., Trends Biochem. Sci., 6:77, 1981). In addition to mammalian cells, liposomes have been used for delivery of polynucleotides in plant, yeast and bacterial cells. in order for a liposome to be an efficient gene transfer vehicle, the following characteristics should be present: (1) encapsulation of the genes of interest at high efficiency while not compromising their biological activity; (2) preferential and substantial binding to a target cell in comparison to non-target cells; (3) delivery of the aqueous contents of the vesicle to the target cell cytoplasm at high efficiency; and (4) accurate and effective expression of genetic information (Manning, et al., Biotechniques, 6:682, 1988).

The composition of the liposome is usually a combination of phospholipids, particularly high-phase-transition-temperature phospholipids, usually in combination with steroids, especially cholesterol. Other phospholipids or other lipids may also be used. The physical characteristics of liposomes depend on pH, ionic strength, and the presence of divalent cations.

Examples of lipids useful in liposome production include phosphatidyl compounds, such as phosphatidyiglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingolipids, cerebrosides, and gangliosides. Particularly useful are diacylphosphatidylglycerols, where the lipid moiety contains from 14-18 carbon atoms, particularly from 16-18 carbon atoms, and is saturated. Illustrative phospholipids include egg phosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and distearoylphosphatidylcholine.

The targeting of liposomes can be classified based on anatomical and mechanistic factors. Anatomical classification is based on the level of selectivity, for example, organ-specific, cell-specific, and organelle-specific. Mechanistic targeting can be distinguished based upon whether it is passive or active. Passive targeting utilizes the natural tendency of liposomes to distribute to cells of the reticulo-endothelial system (RES) in organs which contain sinusoidal capillaries. Active targeting, on the other hand, involves alteration of the liposome by coupling the liposome to a specific ligand such as a monoclonal antibody, sugar, glycolipid, or protein, or by changing the composition or size of the liposome in order to achieve targeting to organs and cell types other than the naturally occurring sites of localization.

The surface of the targeted delivery system may be modified in a variety of ways. In the case of a liposomal targeted delivery system, lipid groups can be incorporated into the lipid bilayer of the liposome in order to maintain the targeting ligand in stable association with the liposomal bilayer. Various linking groups can be used for joining the lipid chains to the targeting ligand.

Due to the expression of GDF-8 in muscle and adipose tissue, there are a variety of applications using the polypeptide, polynucleotide, and antibodies of the invention, related to these tissues. Such applications include treatment of cell proliferative disorders involving these and other tissues, such as neural tissue. In addition, GDF-8 may be useful in various gene therapy procedures. In embodiments where GDF-8 polypeptide is administered to a subject, the dosage range is about 0.1 ug/kg to 100 mg/kg; more preferably from about 1 ug/kg to 75 mg/kg and most preferably from about 10 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg.

The data in Example 6 shows that the human GDF-8 gene is located on chromosome 2. By comparing the chromosomal location of GDF-8 with the map positions of various human disorders, it should be possible to determine whether mutations in the GDF-8 gene are involved in the etiology of human diseases. For example, an autosomal recessive form of juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has been shown to map to chromosome 2 (Hentati, et al., Neurology, 42 [Suppl.3]:201, 1992). More precise mapping of GDF-8 and analysis of DNA from these patients may indicate that GDF-8 is, in fact, the gene affected in this disease. In addition, GDF-8 is useful for distinguishing chromosome 2 from other chromosomes.

Various methods to make the transgenic animals of the subject invention can be employed. Generally speaking, three such methods may be employed. In one such method, an embryo at the pronuclear stage (a “one cell embryo”) is harvested from a female and the transgene is microinjected into the embryo, in which case the transgene will be chromosomally integrated into both the germ cells and somatic cells of the resulting mature animal. In another such method, embryonic stem cells are isolated and the transgene incorporated therein by electroporation, plasmid transfection or microinjection, followed by reintroduction of the stem cells into the embryo where they colonize and contribute to the germ line. Methods for microinjection of mammalian species is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,191. In yet another such method, embryonic cells are infected with a retrovirus containing the transgene whereby the germ cells of the embryo have the transgene chromosomally integrated therein. When the animals to be made transgenic are avian, because avian fertilized ova generally go through cell division for the first twenty hours in the oviduct, microinjection into the pronucleus of the fertilized egg is problematic due to the inaccessibility of the pronucleus. Therefore, of the methods to make transgenic animals described generally above, retrovirus infection is preferred for avian species, for example as described in U.S. Pat No. 5,162,215. If microinjection is to be used with avian species, however, a recently published procedure by Love et al., (Biotechnology, Jan. 12, 1994) can be utilized whereby the embryo is obtained from a sacrificed hen approximately two and one-half hours after the laying of the previous laid egg, the transgene is microinjected into the cytoplasm of the germinal disc and the embryo is cultured in a host shell until maturity. When the animals to be made transgenic are bovine or porcine, microinjection can be hampered by the opacity of the ova thereby making the nuclei difficult to identify by traditional differential interference-contrast microscopy. To overcome this problem, the ova can first be centrifuged to segregate the pronuclei for better visualization.

The “non-human animals” of the invention bovine, porcine, ovine and avian animals (e.g., cow, pig, sheep, chicken). The “transgenic non-human animals” of the invention are produced by introducing “transgenes” into the germline of the non-human animal. Embryonal target cells at various developmental stages can be used to introduce transgenes. Different methods are used depending on the stage of development of the embryonal target cell. The zygote is the best target for micro-injection. The use of zygotes as a target for gene transfer has a major advantage in that in most cases the injected DNA will be incorporated into the host gene before the first cleavage (Brinster et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:4438-4442, 1985). As a consequence, all cells of the transgenic non-human animal will carry the incorporated transgene. This will in general also be reflected in the efficient transmission of the transgene to offspring of the founder since 50% of the germ cells will harbor the transgene.

The term “transgenic” is used to describe an animal which includes exogenous genetic material within all of its cells. A “transgenic” animal can be produced by cross-breeding two chimeric animals which include exogenous genetic material within cells used in reproduction. Twenty-five percent of the resulting offspring will be transgenic i.e., animals which include the exogenous genetic material within all of their cells in both alleles. 50% of the resulting animals will include the exogenous genetic material within one allele and 25% will include no exogenous genetic material.

In the microinjection method useful in the practice of the subject invention, the transgene is digested and purified free from any vector DNA e.g. by gel electrophoresis. It is preferred that the transgene include an operatively associated promoter which interacts with cellular proteins involved in transcription, ultimately resulting in constitutive expression. Promoters useful in this regard include those from cytomegalovirus (CMV), Moloney leukemia virus (MLV), and herpes virus, as well as those from the genes encoding metallothionin, skeletal actin, P-enolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCK), phosphoglycerate (PGK), DHFR, and thymidine kinase. Promoters for viral long terminal repeats (LTRs) such as Rous Sarcoma Virus can also be employed. When the animals to be made transgenic are avian, preferred promoters include those for the chicken-globin gene, chicken lysozyme gene, and avian leukosis virus. Constructs useful in plasmid transfection of embryonic stem cells will employ additional regulatory elements well known in the art such as enhancer elements to stimulate transcription, splice acceptors, termination and polyadenylation signals, and ribosome binding sites to permit translation.

Retroviral infection can also be used to introduce transgene into a non-human animal, as described above. The developing non-human embryo can be cultured in vitro to the blastocyst stage. During this time, the blastomeres can be targets for retro viral infection (Jaenich, R., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 73:1260-1264, 1976). Efficient infection of the blastomeres is obtained by enzymatic treatment to remove the zona pellucida (Hogan, et al. (1986) in Manipulating the Mouse Embryo, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.). The viral vector system used to introduce the transgene is typically a replication-defective retro virus carrying the transgene (Jahner, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:6927-6931, 1985; Van der Putten, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 82:6148-6152, 1985). Transfection is easily and efficiently obtained by culturing the blastomeres on a monolayer of virus-producing cells (Van der Putten, supra; Stewart, et al., EMBO J. 6:383-388, 1987). Alternatively, infection can be performed at a later stage. Virus or virus-producing cells can be injected into the blastocoele (D. Jahner et al., Nature 298:623-628, 1982). Most of the founders will be mosaic for the transgene since incorporation occurs only in a subset of the cells which formed the transgenic nonhuman animal. Further, the founder may contain various retro viral insertions of the transgene at different positions in the genome which generally will segregate in the offspring. In addition, it is also possible to introduce transgenes into the germ line, albeit with low efficiency, by intrauterine retroviral infection of the midgestation embryo (D. Jahner et al., supra).

A third type of target cell for transgene introduction is the embryonal stem cell (ES). ES cells are obtained from pre-implantation embryos cultured in vitro and fused with embryos (M. J. Evans et al. Nature 292:154-156, 1981; M. O. Bradley et al., Nature 309: 255-258, 1984; Gossler, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 83: 9065-9069, 1986; and Robertson et al., Nature 322:445-448, 1986). Transgenes can be efficiently introduced into the ES cells by DNA transfection or by retro virus-mediated transduction. Such transformed ES cells can thereafter be combined with blastocysts from a nonhuman animal. The ES cells thereafter colonize the embryo and contribute to the germ line of the resulting chimeric animal. (For review see Jaenisch, R., Science 240: 1468-1474, 1988).

“Transformed” means a cell into which (or into an ancestor of which) has been introduced, by means of recombinant nucleic acid techniques, a heterologous nucleic acid molecule. Heterologous refers to a nucleic acid sequence that either originates from another species or is modified from either its original form or the form primarily expressed in the cell.

“Transgene” means any piece of DNA which is inserted by artifice into a cell, and becomes part of the genome of the organism (i.e., either stably integrated or as a stable extrachromosomal element) which develops from that cell. Such a transgene may include a gene which is partly or entirely heterologous (i.e., foreign) to the transgenic organism, or may represent a gene homologous to an endogenous gene of the organism. Included within this definition is a transgene created by the providing of an RNA sequence which is transcribed into DNA and then incorporated into the genome. The transgenes of the invention include DNA sequences which encode GDF-8, and include GDF-sense and antisense polynucleotides, which may be expressed in a transgenic non-human animal. The term transgenic as used herein additionally includes any organism whose genome has been altered by in vitro manipulation of the early embryo or fertilized egg or by any transgenic technology to induce a specific gene knockout. The term geneknockout as used herein, refers to the targeted disruption of a gene in vivo with complete loss of function that has been achieved by any transgenic technology familiar to those in the art. In one embodiment, transgenic animals having gene knockouts are those in which the target gene has been rendered nonfunctional by an insertion targeted to the gene to be rendered non-functional by homologous recombination. As used herein, the term transgenic includes anytransgenic technology familiar to those in the art which can produce an organism carrying an introduced transgene or one in which an endogenous gene has been rendered non-functional or knocked out.

The transgene to be used in the practice of the subject invention is a DNA sequence comprising a modified GDF-8 coding sequence. In a preferred embodiment, the GDF-8 gene is disrupted by homologous targeting in embryonic stem cells. For example, the entire mature C-terminal region of the GDF-8 gene may be deleted as described in the examples below. Optionally, the GDF-8 disruption or deletion may be accompanied by insertion of or replacement with other DNA sequences, such as a non-functional GDF-8 sequence (e.g., encoding a dominant negative GDF-8 polypeptide). in other embodiments, the transgene comprises DNA antisense to the coding sequence for GDF-8. In another embodiment, the transgene comprises DNA encoding an antibody or receptor peptide sequence which is able to bind to GDF-8. The DNA and peptide sequences of GDF-8 are known in the art, the sequences, localization and activity disclosed in W094/21681 and pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/033,923, filed on Mar. 19, 1993, incorporated by reference in its entirety. The disclosure of both of these applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Where appropriate, DNA sequences that encode proteins having GDF-8 activity but differ in nucleic acid sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code may also be used herein, as may truncated forms, allelic variants and interspecies homologues.

Methods for producing transgenic aquatic organisms, such as finfish, mollusks, and the like are known in the art. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,061 (transgenic abalone) or U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,808 (transgenic sahnon), both of which methods are incorporated by reference. Further teachings for transgenic aquatic organisms are found in the following, herein incorporated by reference: Hackett, P. B., “The Molecular Biology of Transgenic Fish” in Molecular Biology of Fishers, Vol. 2 (Hochachka, P., and Momrnsen, T., eds.) (1993); Hahn, K. O., in Handbook of Culture of Abalone and Other Marine Gastropods (Haln, ed.) CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., pp. 71-98 (1989); Moav, B., et al., in “Expression of Heterologous Genes in Transgenic Fish” in Transgenic Fish (Hew, C. L., ed.) World Scientific Publishing Co.,

Singapore, pp. 120-141 (1992a); Chen, T. T., Lin, C. M., Zhu, Z., Gonzalez-Villasenor, L. I., Duham, R. A., and Powers, D. A. (1990) Gene transfer, expression and inheritance of rainbow trout and human growth hormone genes in carp and loach. In Transgenic Models in Medicine and Agriculture, 127-139. Wiley-Liss, Inc.; Chen, S. and Evans, G. A. (1990) A simple screening method for transgenic mice using the polymerase chain reaction. Biotechniques, 8:32-33; Chong, S. S. C., and Vielkind J. R. (1989) Expression and fate of CAT reporter gene microinjected into fertilized medaka (Oryazias latipes) eggs in the form of plasmid DNA, recombinant phage particles and its DNA. Theor. Appl. Genet. 78: 369-380; Davies, L. G., Dibuer, M. D. and Battey, J. F. (1986) Methods in Molecular Biology. Elsevier Science Publishing Co.; Davies, P. L., Fletcher, G. L. and Hew, C. L. (1989) Fish antifreeze protein genes and their use in transgenic studies. in: Oxford Surveys on Eukaryotic Genes, 6:85-110. Edited by Norman Maclean, Published by Oxford University Press.

The invention also includes animals having heterozygous mutations in GDF-8. A heterozygote transgenic has an intermediate increase in muscle mass as compared to an organism having a homozygous disruption (maximum increase) or a wild-type organism (“normar” muscle), not having an interupted GDF-8.

After an embryo has been microinjected, colonized with transfected embryonic stem cells or infected with a retrovirus containing the transgene (except for practice of the subject invention in avian species which is addressed elsewhere herein) the embryo is implanted into the oviduct of a pseudopregnant female. The consequent progeny are tested for incorporation of the transgene by Southern blot analysis of blood samples using transgene specific probes. PCR is particularly useful in this regard. Positive progeny (G0) are crossbred to produce offspring (G1) which are analyzed for transgene expression by Northern blot analysis of tissue samples. To be able to distinguish expression of like-species transgenes from expression of the animals endogenous GDF-8 gene(s), a marker gene fragment can be included in the construct in the 3′ untranslated region of the transgene and the Northern probe designed to probe for the marker gene fragment. The serum levels of GDF-8 can also be measured in the transgenic animal to establish appropriate expression. Expression of the GDF-8 transgenes, thereby decreasing the GDF-8 in the tissue and serum levels of the transgenic animals and consequently increasing the muscle tissue content results in the foodstuffs from these animals (i.e. eggs, beef, pork, poultry meat, milk, etc.) having markedly increased muscle content, and preferably without increased, and more preferably, reduced levels of fat and cholesterol. By practice of the subject invention, a statistically significant increase in muscle content, preferably at least a 2% increase in muscle content (e.g., in chickens), more preferably a 25% increase in muscle content as a percentage of body weight, more preferably greater than 40% increase in muscle content in these foodstuffs can be obtained.

Thus, the present invention includes methods for increasing muscle mass in domesticated animals, characterized by inactivation or deletion of the gene encoding growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8). The domesticated animal is preferably selected from the group consisting of ovine, bovine, porcine, piscine and avian. The animal may be treated with an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding growth and differentiation factor-8 which polynucleotide sequence is also from a domesticated animal selected from the group consisting of ovine, bovine, porcine, piscine and avian. The present invention includes methods for increasing the muscle mass in domesticated animals characterized by administering to a domesticated animal monoclonal antibodies directed to the GDF-8 polypeptide. The antibody may be an anti-GDF-8, and may be either a monoclonal antibody or a polyclonal antibody.

The invention includes methods comprising using an anti-GDF-8 monoclonal antibody as a therapeutic agent to inhibit the growth regulating actions of GDF-8 on muscle cells. Muscle cells are defined to include fetal or adult muscle cells, as well as progenitor cells which are capable of differentiation into muscle. The monoclonal antibody may be a humanized (e.g., either fully or a chimeric) monoclonal antibody, of any species origin, such as murine, ovine, bovine, porcine or avian. Methods of producing antibody molecules with various combinations of “humanized” antibodies are well known in the art and include combining murine variable regions with human constant regions (Cabily, et al. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci. USA, 81:3273, 1984), or by grafting the murine-antibody complementary determining regions (CDRs) onto the human framework (Richmann, et al., Nature 332:323, 1988). Other general references which teach methods for creating humanized antibodies include Morrison, et al., Science, 229:1202, 1985; Jones, et al., Nature, 321:522, 1986; Monroe, et al., Nature 312:779, 1985; Oi, et al., BioTechniques, 4:214, 1986; European Patent Application No. 302,620; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,834. Therefore, by humanizing the monoclonal antibodies of the invention for in vivo use, an immune response to the antibodies would be greatly reduced.

The monoclonal antibody, GDF-8 polypeptide, or GDF-8 polynucleotide (all GDF-8 agents) may have the effect of increasing the development of skeletal muscles. In preferred embodiments of the claimed methods, the GDF-8 monoclonal antibody, polypeptide, or polynucleotide is administered to a patient suffering from a disorder selected from the group consisting of muscle wasting disease, neuromuscular disorder, muscle atrophy or aging. The GDF-8 agent may also be administered to a patient suffering from a disorder selected from the group consisting of muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, traumatic injury, congestive obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), AIDS or cachechia. In a preferred embodiment, the GDF-8 agent is administered to a patient with muscle wasting disease or disorder by intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous injection; preferably, a monoclonal antibody is administered within a dose range between about 0.1 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg; more preferably between about 1 ug/kg to 75 mg/kg; most preferably from about 10 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg. The antibody may be administered, for example, by bolus injunction or by slow infusion. Slow infusion over a period of 30 minutes to 2 hours is preferred. The GDF-8 agent may be formulated in a formulation suitable for administration to a patient. Such formulations are known in the art.

The dosage regimen will be determined by the attending physician considering various factors which modify the action of the GDF-8 protein, e.g. amount of tissue desired to be formed, the site of tissue damage, the condition of the damaged tissue, the size of a wound, type of damaged tissue, the patient's age, sex, and diet, the severity of any infection, time of administration and other clinical factors. The dosage may vary with the type of matrix used in the reconstitution and the types of agent, such as anti-GDF-8 antibodies, to be used in the composition. Generally, systemic or injectable administration, such as intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (Sub-Q) injection. Administration will generally be initiated at a dose which is minimally effective, and the dose will be increased over a preselected time course until a positive effect is observed. Subsequently, incremental increases in dosage will be made limiting such incremental increases to such levels that produce a corresponding increase in effect, while taking into account any adverse affects that may appear. The addition of other known growth factors, such as IGF I (insulin like growth factor I), human, bovine, or chicken growth hormone which may aid in increasing muscle mass, to the final composition, may also affect the dosage. In the embodiment where an anti-GDF-8 antibody is administered, the anti-GDF-8 antibody is generally administered within a dose range of about 0.1 ug/kg to about 100 mg/kg.; more preferably between about 10 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg.

Progress can be monitored by periodic assessment of tissue growth and/or repair. The progress can be monitored, for example, x-rays, histomorphometric determinations and tetracycline labeling.

All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The following examples are intended to illustrate but not limit the invention. While they are typical of those that might be used, other procedures known to those skilled in the art may alternatively be used.

EXAMPLE 1 Identification and Isolation of a Novel TGF-beta Family Member

To identify a new member of the TGF-beta superfamily, degenerate oligonucleotides were designed which corresponded to two conserved regions among the known family members: one region spanning the two tryptophan residues conserved in all family members except MIS and the other region spanning the invariant cysteine residues near the C-terminus. These primers were used for polymerase chain reactions on mouse genomic DNA followed by subcloning the PCR products using restriction sites placed at the 5′ ends of the primers, picking individual E. coli colonies carrying these subcloned inserts, and using a combination of random sequencing and hybridization analysis to eliminate known members of the superfamily.

GDF-8 was identified from a mixture of PCR products obtained with the primers

SJL141:5′-CCGGAATTCGGITGG(G/C/A)A(G/A/T/C)(A/G)A(T/C)TGG(A/G)TI(A/G)TI(T/G)CICC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:1)

SJL147:5′-CCGGAATTC(G/A)CAI(G/C)C(G/A)CA(G/A)CT(GIA/T/C)TCIACI(G/A)(T/C)CAT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:2)

PCR using these primers was carried out with 2 g mousegenomic DNA at 94° C. for 1 min, 50° C. for 2 min, and 72° C. for 2 min for 40 cycles.

PCR products of approximately 280 bp were gel-purified, digested with Eco R1, gel-purified again, and subcloned in the Bluescript vector (Stratagene, San Diego, Calif.). Bacterial colonies carrying individual subclones were picked into 96 well microtiter plates, and multiple replicas were prepared by plating the cells onto nitrocellulose. The replicate filters were hybridized to probes representing known members of the family, and DNA was prepared from nonhybridizing colonies for sequence analysis.

The primer combination of SJL141 and SJL147, encoding the amino acid sequences GW(H/Q/N/K/D/E)(D/N)W(V/I/M)(V/I/M)(A/S)P (SEQ ID NO:9) and M(V/I/M/A)V(D/E)SC(G/A)C (SEQ ID NO:10), respectively, yielded four previously identified sequences (BMP-4, inhibin, B, GDF-3 and GDF-5) and one novel sequence, which was designated GDF-8, among 110 subclones analyzed. Human GDF-8 was isolated using the primers:

ACM13:5′-CGCGGATCCAGAGTCAAGGTGACAGACACAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:3); and

ACM14: 5′-CGCGGATCCTCCTCATGAGCACCCACAGCGGTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:4)

PCR using these primers was carried out with one g humangenomic DNA at 94° C. for 1 min, 58° C. for 2 min, and 72° C. for 2 min for 30 cycles. The PCR product was digested with Bam H1, gel-purified, and subcloned in the Bluescript vector (Stratagene, San Francisco, Calif.).

EXAMPLE 2 Expression Pattern and Sequence of GDF-8

To determine the expression pattern of GDF-8, RNA samples prepared from a variety of adult tissues were screened by Northern analysis. RNA isolation and Northern analysis were carried out as described previously (Lee, S.J., Mol. Endocrinol., 4:1034, 1990) except that hybridization was carried out in 5×SSPE, 10% dextran sulfate, 50% formamide, 1% SDS, 200 μg/ml salmon DNA, and 0.1% each of bovine serum albumin, ficoll, and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Five micrograms of twice poly A-selected RNA prepared from each tissue (except for muscle, for which only 2 μg RNA was used) were electrophoresed on formaldehyde gels, blotted, and probed with GDF-8. As shown in FIG. 1, the GDF-8 probe detected a single mRNA species expressed at highest levels in muscle and at significantly lower levels in adipose tissue.

To obtain a larger segment of the GDF-8 gene, a mouse genomic library was screened with a probe derived from the GDF-8 PCR product. The partial sequence of a GDF-8 genomic clone is shown in FIG. 2a. The sequence contains an open reading frame corresponding to the predicted C-terminal region of the GDF-8 precursor protein. The predicted GDF-8 sequence contains two potential proteolytic processing sites, which are boxed. Cleavage of the precursor at the second of these sites would generate a mature C terminal fragment 109 amino acids in length with a predicted molecular weight of 12,400. The partial sequence of human GDF-8 is shown in FIG. 2b. Assuming no PCR-induced errors during the isolation of the human clone, the human and mouse amino acid sequences in this region are 100% identical.

The C-terminal region of GDF-8 following the putative proteolytic processing site shows significant homology to the known members of the TGF-β superfamily (FIG. 3). FIG. 3 shows the alignment of the C-terminal sequences of GDF-8 with the corresponding regions of human GDF-1 (Lee, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:4250-4254, 1991), human BMP-2 and 4 (Wozney, et al., Science, 242:1528-1534, 1988), human Vgr-1 (Celeste, et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:9843-9847, 1990), human OP-1 (Ozkaynak, et al., EMBO J., 9:2085-2093, 1990), human BMP-5 (Celeste, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:9843-9847, 1990), human BMP-3 (Wozney, et al., Science, 242:1528-1534, 1988), human MiS (Cate, et al. Cell, 45:6855-698,1986), human inhibin alpha, A, and B (Mason, et al.,Biochem, Biophys. Res. Commun., 135:957-964, 1986), human TGF- 1 (Derynck, et al., Nature,316:701-705, 1985), humanTGF-R2 (deMartin, et al., EMBO J., 6:3673-3677, 1987), and human TGF-3 (ten Dijke, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:4715-4719, 1988). The conserved cysteine residues are boxed. Dashes denote gaps introduced in order to maximize the alignment.

GDF-8 contains most of the residues that are highly conserved in other family members, including the seven cysteine residues with their characteristic spacing. Like the TGF-βs and inhibin Bs, GDF-8 also contains two additional cysteine residues. In the case of TGF-β2, these two additional cysteine residues are known to form an intramolecular disulfide bond (Daopin, et al., Science, 257:369, 1992; Schlunegger and Grutter, Nature, 358:430, 1992).

FIG. 4 shows the amino acid homologies among the different members of the TGF-β superfamily. Numbers represent percent amino acid identities between each pair calculated from the first conserved cysteine to the C terminus. Boxes represent homologies among highly-related members within particular subgroups. In this region, GDF-8 is most homologous to Vgr-1 (45% sequence identity).

EXAMPLE 3 Isolation of cDNA clones Encoding Murine and Human GDF-8

In order to isolate full-length cDNA clones encoding murine and human GDF-8, cDNA libraries were prepared in the lambda ZAP II vector (Stratagene) using RNA prepared from skeletal muscle. From 5 μg of twice poly A-selected RNA prepared from murine and human muscle, cDNA libraries consisting of 4.4 million and 1.9 million recombinant phage, respectively, were constructed according to the instructions provided by Stratagene. These libraries were screened without amplification. Library screening and characterization of cDNA inserts were carried out as described previously (Lee, Mol. Endocrinol., 4:1034-1040).

From 2.4×10⁶ recombinant phage screened from the murine muscle cDNA library, greater than 280 positive phage were identified using a murine GDF-8 probe derived from a genomic clone, as described in Example 1. The entire nucleotide sequence of the longest cDNA insert analyzed is shown in FIG. 5a and SEQ ID NO: 11. The 2676 base pair sequence contains a single long open reading frame beginning with a methionine codon at nucleotide 104 and extending to a TGA stop codon at nucleotide 1232. Upstream of the putative initiating methionine codon is an in-frame stop codon at nucleotide 23. The predicted pre-pro-GDF-8 protein is 376 amino acids in length. The sequence contains a core of hydrophobic amino acids at the N-terminus suggestive of a signal peptide for secretion (FIG. 6a), one potential N-glycosylation site at asparagine 72, a putative RXXR proteolytic cleavage site at amino acids 264-267, and a C-terminal region showing significant homology to the known members of the TGF- superfamily. Cleavage of the precursor protein at the putative RXXR site would generate a mature C-terminal GDF-8 fragment 109 amino acids in length with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 12,400.

From 1.9×10⁶ recombinant phage screened from the human muscle cDNA library, 4 positive phage were identified using a human GDF-8 probe derived by polymerase chain reaction on human genomic DNA. The entire nucleotide sequence of the longest cDNA insert is shown in FIG. 5b and SEQ ID NO:13. The 2743 base pair sequence contains a single long open reading frame beginning with a methionine codon at nucleotide 59 and extending to a TGA stop codon at nucleotide 1184. The predicted pre-pro-GDF-8 protein is 375 amino acids in length. The sequence contains a core of hydrophobic amino acids at the N-terminus suggestive of a signal peptide for secretion (FIG. 6b), one potential N-glycosylation site at asparagine 71, and a putative RX)(R proteolytic cleavage site at amino acids 263-266. FIG. 7 shows a comparison of the predicted murine (top) and human (bottom) GDF-8 amino acid sequences. Numbers indicate amino acid position relative to the N-terminus. Identities between the two sequences are denoted by a vertical line. Murine and human GDF-8 are approximately 94% identical in the predicted pro-regions and 100% identical following the predicted RXXR cleavage sites.

EXAMPLE 4 Dimerization of GDF-8

To determine whether the processing signals in the GDF-8 sequence are functional and whether GDF-8 forms dimers like other members of the TGF-B superfamily, the GDF-8 cDNA was stably expressed in CHO cells. The GDF-8 coding sequence was cloned into the pMSXND expression vector (Lee and Nathans, J. Biol. Chem., 263:3521,(1988) and transfected into CHO cells. Following G418 selection, the cells were selected in 0.2 PIM methotrexate, and conditioned medium from resistant cells was concentrated and electrophoresed on SDS gels. Conditioned medium was prepared by Cell Trends, Inc. (Middletown, Md.). For preparation of anti-GDF-8 serum, the C-terminal region of GDF-8 (amino acids 268 to 376) was expressed in bacteria using the RSET vector (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.), purified using a nickle chelate column, and injected into rabbits. All immunizations were carried out by Spring Valley Labs (Woodbine, Md.). Western analysis using [¹²⁵]iodoprotein A was carried out as described (Burnette, W. N., Anal. Biochem., 112:195, 1981). Western analysis of conditioned medium prepared from these cells using an antiserum raised against a bacterially-expressed C-terminal fragment of GDF-8 detected two protein species with apparent molecular weights of approximately 52K and 15K under reducing conditions, consistent with unprocessed and processed forms of GDF-8, respectively. No bands were obtained either with preimmune serum or with conditioned medium from CHO cells transfected with an antisense construct. Under non-reducing conditions, the GDF-8 antiserum detected two predominant protein species with apparent molecular weights of approximately 101K and 25K, consistent with dimeric forms of unprocessed and processed GDF-8, respectively. Hence, like other TGF-β family members, GDF-8 appears to be secreted and proteolytically processed, and the C-terminal region appears to be capable of forming a disulfide-linked dimer.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of Antibodies Against GDF-8 and Expression of GDF-8 in Mamamalian Cells

In order to prepare antibodies against GDF-8, GDF-8 antigen was expressed as a fusion protein in bacteria. A portion of murine GDF-8 cDNA spanning amino acids 268-376 (mature region) was inserted into the pRSET vector (Invitrogen) such that the GDF-8 coding sequence was placed in frame with the initiating methionine codon present in the vector; the resulting construct created an open reading frame encoding a fusion protein with a molecular weight of approximately 16,600. The fusion construct was transformed into BL21 (DE3) (pLysS) cells, and expression of the fusion protein was induced by treatment with isopropylthio-galactoside as described (Rosenberg, et al., Gene, 56:125-135). The fusion protein was then purified by metal chelate chromatography according to the instructions provided by invitrogen. A Coomassie blue-stained gel of unpurified and purified fusion proteins is shown in FIG. 8.

The purified fusion protein was used to immunize both rabbits and chickens. Immunization of rabbits was carried out by Spring Valley Labs (Sykesville, Md.), and immunization of chickens was carried out by HRP, Inc. (Denver, Pa.). Western analysis of sera both from immunized rabbits and from immunized chickens demonstrated the presence of antibodies directed against the fusion protein.

To express GDF-8 in mammalian cells, the murine GDF-8 cDNA sequence from nucleotides 48-1303 was cloned in both orientations downstream of the metallothionein I promoter in the pMSXND expression vector; this vector contains processing signals derived from SV40, a dihydrofolate reductase gene, and a gene conferring resistance to the antibiotic G418 (Lee and Nathans, J. Biol. Chem., 3521-3527). The resulting constructs were transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells, and stable tranfectants were selected in the presence of G418. Two milliliters of conditioned media prepared from the G418-resistant cells were dialyzed, lyophilized, electrophoresed under denaturing, reducing conditions, transferred to nitrocellulose, and incubated with anti-GDF-8 antibodies (described above) and [¹²⁵l]iodoproteinA.

As shown in FIG. 9, the rabbit GDF-8 antibodies (at a 1:500 dilution) detected a protein of approximately the predicted molecular weight for the mature C-terminal fragment of GDF-8 in the conditioned media of cells transfected with a construct in which GDF-8 had been cloned in the correct (sense) orientation with respect to the metallothionein promoter (lane 2); this band was not detected in a similar sample prepared from cells transfected with a control antisense construct (lane 1). Similar results were obtained using antibodies prepared in chickens. Hence, GDF-8 is secreted and proteolytically processed by these transfected mammalian cells.

EXAMPLE 6 Expression Pattern of GDF-8

To determine the pattern of GDF-8, 5 g of twicepoly A-selected RNA prepared from a variety of murine tissue sources were subjected to Northern analysis. As shown in FIG. 10a (and as shown previously in Example 2), the GDF-8 probe detected a single mRNA species present almost exclusively in skeletal muscle among a large number of adult tissues surveyed. On longer exposures of the same blot, significantly lower but detectable levels of GDF-8 mRNA were seen in fat, brain, thymus, heart, and lung. Hence, these results confirm the high degree of specificity of GDF-8 expression in skeletal muscle. GDF-8 mRNA was also detected in mouse embryos at both gestational ages (day 12.5 and day 18.5 post-coital) examined but not in placentas at various stages of development (FIG. 10b).

To further analyze the expression pattern of GDF-8, in situ hybridization was performed on mouse embryos isolated at various stages of development. For all in situ hybridization experiments, probes corresponding to the C-terminal region of GDF-8 were excluded in order to avoid possible cross-reactivity with other members of the superfamily. Whole mount in situ hybridization analysis was carried out as described (Wilkinson, D. G., In Situ Hybridization, A Practical Approach, pp. 75-83, IRL. Press, Oxford, 1992) except that blocking and antibody incubation steps were carried out as in Knecht et al. (Knecht, et al., Development, 121:1927, 1955). Alkaline phosphatase reactions were carried out for 3 hours for day 10.5 embryos and overnight for day 9.5 embryos. Hybridization was carried out using digoxigenin- labelled probes spanning nucleotides 8-811 and 1298-2676, which correspond to the pro- region and 3 untranslated regions, respectively. In situ hybridization to sections was carried out as described (Wilkinson, et al., Cell, 50:79, 1987) using ³⁵S-labelled probes ranging from approximately 100-650 bases in length and spanning nucleotides 8-793 and 1566-2595. Following hybridization and washing, slides were dipped in NTB-3 photographic emulsion, exposed for 16-19 days, developed and stained with either hematoxylin and eosin or toluidine blue. RNA isolation, poly A selection, and Northern analysis were carried out as described previously (McPherron and Lee, J. Biol. Chem., 268:3444, 1993).

At all stages examined, the expression of GDF-8 mRNA appeared to be restricted to developing skeletal muscle. At early stages, GDF-8 expression was restricted to developing somites. By whole mount in situ hybridization analysis, GDF-8 mRNA could first be detected as early as day 9.5 post coitum in approximately one-third of the somites. At this stage of development, hybridization appeared to be restricted to the most mature (9 out of 21 in this example), rostral somites. By day 10.5 p.c., GDF-8 expression was clearly evident in almost every somite (28 out of 33 in this example shown). Based on in situ hybridization analysis of sections prepared from day 10.5 p.c. embryos, the expression of GDF-8 in somites appeared to be localized to the myotome compartment. At later stages of development, GDF-8 expression was detected in a wide range of developing muscles.

GDF-8 continues to be expressed in adult animals as well. By Northern analysis, GDF-8 mRNA expression was seen almost exclusively in skeletal muscle among the different adult tissues examined. A significantly lower though clearly detectable signal was also seen in adipose tissue. Based on Northern analysis of RNA prepared from a large number of different adult skeletal muscles, GDF-8 expression appeared to be widespread although the expression levels varied among indivdual muscles.

EXAMPLE 7 Chromosomal Localization of GDF-8

In order to map the chromosomal location of GDF-8, DNA samples from human/rodent somatic cell hybrids (Drwinga, et al., Genomics, 16:311-413, 1993; Dubois and Naylor, Genomics, 16:315-319, 1993) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction followed by Southern blotting. Polymerase chain reaction was carried out using primer #83, 5′CGCGGATCCGTGGATCTAAATGAGAACAGTGAGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 15) and primer #84, 5′-CGCGAATTCTCAGGTAATGATTGTTTCCGTTGTAGCG-3′(SEQ ID NO:16) for 40 cycles at 94° C. for 2 minutes, 60° C. for 1 minute, and 72° C. for 2 minutes. These primers corres (flanked by an Eco R1 recognition sequence), respectively, in the human GDF-8 cDNA sequence. PCR products were electrophoresed on agarose gels, blotted, and probed with oligonucleotide #100, 5′-ACACTAAATCTTCAAGAATA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:17), which corresponds to a sequence internal to the region flanked by primer #83 and #84. Filters were hybridized in 6×SSC, 1×Denhardt's solution, 100 μg/ml yeast transfer RNA, and 0.05% sodium pyrophosphate at 50° C.

As shown in FIG. 11, the human-specific probe detected a band of the predicted size (approximately 320 base pairs) in the positive control sample (total human genomic DNA) and in a single DNA sample from the human/rodent hybrid panel. This positive signal corresponds to human chromosome 2. The human chromosome contained in each of the hybrid cell lines is identified at the top of each of the first 24 lanes (1-22, X, and Y). In the lanes designated M, CHO, and H, the starting DNA template was total genomic DNA from mouse, hamster, and human sources, respectively. In the lane marked B 1, no template DNA was used. Numbers at left indicate the mobilities of DNA standards. These data show that the human GDF-8 gene is located on chromosome 2.

EXAMPLE 8 GDF-8 Trangenic Knockout Mice

The GDF-8, we disrupted the GDF-8 gene was disrupted by homologous targeting in embryonic stem cells. To ensure that the resulting mice would be null for GDF-8 function, the entire mature C-terminal region was deleted and replaced by a neo cassette (FIG. 12a). A murine 129 SV/J genomic library was prepared in lambda FIX II according to the instructions provided by Stratagene (La Jolla, Calif.). The structure of the GDF-8 gene was deduced from restriction mapping and partial sequencing of phage clones isolated from this library. Vectors for preparing the targeting construct were kindly provided by Philip Soriano and Kirk Thomas University. R1 ES cells were transfected with the targeting construct, selected with gancyclovir (2 μM) and G418 (250 μg/ml), and analyzed by Southern analysis. Homologously targeted clones were injected into C57BL/6 blastocysts and transferred into pseudopregnant females. Germline transmission of the targeted allele was obtained in a total of 9 male chimeras from 5 independently-derived ES clones. Genomic Southern blots were hybridized at 42° C. as described above and washed in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 42° C. For whole leg analysis, legs of 14 week old mice were skinned, treated with 0.2 M EDTA in PBS at 4° C. for 4 weeks followed by 0.5 M sucrose in PBS at 4° C. For fiber number and size analysis, samples were directly mounted and frozen in isopentane as described (Brumback and Leech, Color Atlas of Muscle Histochemistry, pp. 9-33, PSG Publishing Company, Littleton, Mass., 1984). Ten to 30 m sections were prepared using a cryostat and stained withhematoxylin and eosin. Muscle fiber numbers were determined from sections taken from the widest part of the tibialis cranialis muscle. Muscle fiber sizes were measured from photographs of sections of tibialis cranialis and gastrocnemius muscles. Fiber type analysis was carried out using the mysosin ATPase assay after pretreatment at pH 4.35 as described (Cumming, et al., Color Atlas of Muscle Pathology, pp. 184-185, 1994) and by immunohistochemistry using an antibody directed against type I myosin (MY32, Sigma) and the Vectastain method (Vector Labs); in the immunohistochemical experiments, no staining was seen when the primary antibodies were left out. Carcasses were prepared from shaved mice by removing the all of the internal organs and associated fat and connective tissue. Fat content of carcasses from 4 month old males was determined as described (Leshner, et al., Physiol. Behavior, 9:281, 1972).

For protein and DNA analysis, tissue was homogenized in 150 mM NaCl, 100 mM EDTA. Protein concentrations were determined using the Biorad protein assay. DNA was isolated by adding SDS to 1%, treating with 1 mg/ml proteinase K overnight at 55° C., extracting 3 times with phenol and twice with chloroform, and precipitating with ammonium acetate and EtOH. DNA was digested with 2 mg/ml RNase for 1 hour at 37° C., and following proteinase K digestion and phenol and chloroform extractions, the DNA was precipitated twice with ammonium acetate and EtOH.

Homologous targeting of the GDF-8 gene was seen in 13/131 gancyclovir/G418 doubly-resistant ES cell clones. Following injection of these targeted clones into blastocysts, we obtained chimeras from 5 independently-derived ES clones that produced heterozygous pups when crossed to C57BL/6 females (FIG. 12b). Genotypic analysis of 678 offspring derived from crosses of F1 heterozygotes showed 170+/+(25%), 380+/−(56%), and 128−/−(19%). Although the ratio of genotypes was close to the expected ratio of 1:2:1, the smaller than expected number of homozygous mutants appeared to be statistically significant (p<0.001).

Homozygous mutants were viable and fertile when crossed to C57BL/6 mice and to each other. Homozygous mutant animals, however, were approximately 30% larger than their heterozygous and wild type littermates (Table 1). The difference between mutant and wild type body weights appeared to be relatively constant irrespective of age and sex in adult animals. Adult mutants also displayed an abnormal body shape, with pronounced shoulders and hips. When the skin was removed from animals that had been sacrificed, it was apparent that the muscles of the mutants were much larger than those of wild type animals. The increase in skeletal muscle mass appeared to be widespread throughout the body. Individual muscles isolated from homozygous mutant animals weighed approximately 2-3 times more than those isolated from wild type littermates (Table 2). Although the magnitude of the weight increase appeared to roughly correlate with the level of GDF-8 expression in the muscles examined. To determine whether the increased muscle mass could account for the entire difference in total body weights between wild type and mutant animals or whether many tissues were generally larger in the mutants, we compared the total body weights to carcass weights. As shown in Table 3, the difference in carcass weights between wild type and mutant animals was comparable to the difference in total body weights. Moreover, because the fat content of mutant and wild type animals was similar, these data are consistent with all of the total body weight difference resulting from an increase in skeletal muscle mass, although we have not formally ruled out the possibility that differences in bone mass might also contribute to the differences in total body mass. Mice having a heterozygous knockout had a phenotype of intermediate muscle mass, between the wild-type and the homozygous knockout.

To determine whether the increase in skeletal muscle mass resulted from hyperplasia or from hypertrophy, histologic analysis of several different muscle groups was performed. The mutant muscle appeared grossly normal. No excess connective tissue or fat was seen nor were there any obvious signs of degeneration, such as widely varying fiber sizes (see below) or centrally-placed nuclei. Quantitation of the number of muscle fibers showed that at the widest portion of the tibialis cranialis muscle, the total cell number was 86% higher in mutant animals compared to wild type littermates [mutant=5470+/−121 (n=3), wild type=2936+/−288 (n=3); p<0.005]. Consistent with this result was the finding that the amount of DNA extracted from mutant muscle was roughly 50% higher than from wild type muscle [mutant=350 g (n=4), wild type=233 g (n=3) from pooled gastrocnemius, plantaris, triceps brachii, tibialis cranialis, and pectoralis muscles; p=0.05]. Hence, a large part of the increase in skeletal muscle mass resulted from muscle cell hyperplasia. However, muscle fiber hypertrophy also appeared to contribute to the overall increase in muscle mass. As shown in FIG. 13, the mean fiber diameter of the tibialis cranialis muscle and gastrocnemius muscle was 7% and 22% larger, respectively, in mutant animals compared to wild type littermates, suggesting that the cross-sectional area of the fibers was increased by approximately 14% and 49%, respectively. Notably, although the mean fiber diameter was larger in the mutants, the standard deviation in fiber sizes was similar between mutant and wild type muscle, consistent with the absence of muscle degeneration in mutant animals. The increase in fiber size was also consistent with the finding that the protein to DNA ratio (w/w) was slightly increased in mutant compared to wild type muscle [mutant=871+/−111 (n=4), wild type=624+/−85 (n=3); p<0.05].

Finally, fiber type analysis of various muscles was carried out to determine whether the number of both type I (slow) and type II (fast) fibers was increased in the mutant animals. In most of the muscles examined, including the tibialis cranialis muscle, the vast majority of muscle fibers were type II in both mutant and wild type animals. Hence, based on the cell counts discussed above, the absolute number of type II fibers were increased in the tibialis cranialis muscle. In the soleus muscle, where the number of type I fibers was sufficiently high that we could attempt to quantitate the ratio of fiber types could be quantiated, the percent of type I fibers was decreased by approximately 33% in mutant compared to wild type muscle [wild type=39.2+/−8.1 (n=3), mutant=26.4+/−9.3 (n=4)]; however, the variability in this ratio for both wild type and mutant animals was too high to support any firm conclusions regarding the relative number of fiber types.

EXAMPLE 9 Isolation of Rat, Chicken and Fish GDF-8

In order to isolate rat and chicken GDF-8 cDNA clones, skeletal muscle cDNA libraries prepared from these species were obtained from Stratagene and screened with a murine GDF-8 probe. Library screening was carried out as described previously (Lee, Mol. Endocranial., 4:1034-1040) except that final washes were carried out in 2×SSC at 65° C. Partial sequence analysis of hybridizing clones revealed the presence of open reading frames highly related to murine and human GDF-8. Partial sequences of rat and chicken GDF-8 are shown in FIGS. 2c and 2 d, respectively, and an alignment of the predicated rat and chicken GDF-8 amino acid sequences with those of murine and human GDF-8 are shown in FIG. 3b. All four sequences contain an RSRR sequence that is likely to represent the proteolytic processing site. Following this RSRR sequence, the sequences contain a C-terminal region that is 100% conserved among all four species. The absolute conservation of the C-terminal region between species as evolutionarily far apart as humans and chickens suggests that this region will be highly conserved in many other species as well.

Sequences for finfish GDF-8 were obtained by preparing libraries from zebrafish and salmon polyA RNA as described in McPherron and Lee (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 94:12457, 1997), herein incorporated by reference. Zebrafish GDF-8 is deposited in GenBank as accession no. AF019626. GDF-8 in salmon appears to have at least 2 alleles, since there were several clones having the sequence of allele 1 and several having the sequence of allele 2. The nucleic acid sequences and deduced amino acid sequences for zebrafish, allele 1 of salmon, and allele 2 of salmon, are shown in FIGS. 2e, 2 f, and 2 g, respectively. FIGS. 3c and 3 d show an amino acid sequence alignment between murine, zebrafish, and salmon (alleles 1 and 2) GDF-8. The C-terminal sequences are highly conserved. Cleavage of the precursor at the downstream site would generate a mature biologically active C-terminal fragment of 109 for murine GDF-8. Comparing the fish sequences with murine in the C-terminal fragment, there are only 14 amino acid differences, which is approximately 88% identity.

EXAMPLE 10 Gene Transfer and Retention in Fish

The most common method for producing transgenic fish used to date is microinjection. To transfer DNA into the germ line of salmonids, the transgene construct is microinjected into the cytoplasm of fertilized eggs in early development. Linear DNA is retained more effectively than the circular DNA in early development (Iyengar et al., Mol. Mar. Biol. Biotech., 4:248-254, 1995). The frequency of germline transformation usually is very low for circular DNA. Therefore, linear DNA, from which all the vector sequences are removed, is prefered. According to the availability of fish eggs, the gene is transferred into cutthrout trout (or coho salmon) eggs, by way of example only, using an established microinjection procedure. Briefly, fertilized eggs which have been developmently arrested and retain soft chorions are microinjected with 2 nL of DNA solution (containing 10⁷ copies of the gene construct) into the perimycropylar region, through the chorion and vitelline memberane into the egg cytoplasm. By this method, DNA is introduced into the vicinity of both the male and female pronuclei, and integration into host chromosomes occurs on average during the first through third cleavage divisions. More than 80 eggs (and up to 1000 eggs) are microinjected. Injected eggs are allowed to develop into fry over approximately 4-6 months. With other constrcts that do not have an effect on viability, a typical survival rate would be approximately 70% at this stage with 1-2% transgenic salmonids.

One way to identify the transgenic individuals, fish transfected with the construct are bled to obtain plasma. The plasma samples are analyzed by PCR using construct-specific oligonucleotide primers.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the presently preferred embodiment, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims.

41 1 36 DNA Artificial Sequence Oligonucleotides for PCR 1 ccggaattcg gntggvanra ytggrtnrtn nkcncc 36 2 33 DNA Artificial Sequence Oligonucleotides for PCR 2 ccggaattcr canscrcarc tntcnacnry cat 33 3 32 DNA Artificial Sequence Oligonucleotides for PCR 3 cgcggatcca gaagtcaagg tgacagacac ac 32 4 33 DNA Artificial Sequence Oligonucleotides for PCR 4 cgcggatcct cctcatgagc acccacagcg gtc 33 5 550 DNA Mus musculus CDS (59)...(436) 5 ttaaggtagg aaggatttca ggctctattt acataattgt tctttccttt tcacacag 58 aat ccc ttt tta gaa gtc aag gtg aca gac aca ccc aag agg tcc cgg 106 aga gac ttt ggg ctt gac tgc gat gag cac tcc acg gaa tcc cgg tgc 154 Asn Pro Phe Leu Glu Val Lys Val Thr Asp Thr Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg 1 5 10 15 tgc cgc tac ccc ctc acg gtc gat ttt gaa gcc ttt gga tgg gac tgg 202 Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp Glu His Ser Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys 20 25 30 att atc gca ccc aaa aga tat aag gcc aat tac tgc tca gga gag tgt 250 Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp 35 40 45 gaa ttt gtg ttt tta caa aaa tat ccg cat act cat ctt gtg cac caa 298 Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys 50 55 60 gca aac ccc aga ggc tca gca ggc cct tgc tgc act ccg aca aaa atg 346 Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Lys Tyr Pro His Thr His Leu Val His Gln 65 70 75 80 tct ccc att aat atg cta tat ttt aat ggc aaa gaa caa ata ata tat 394 Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met 85 90 95 ggg aaa att cca gcc atg gta gta gac cgc tgt ggg tgc tca 436 Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr 100 105 110 tgagctttgc attaggttag aaacttccca agtcatggaa ggtcttcccc tcaatttcga 496 Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Val Val Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser 115 120 125 aactgtgaat tcctgcagcc cgggggatcc actagttcta gagcggccgc cacc 550 6 126 PRT Mus musculus 6 Asn Pro Phe Leu Glu Val Lys Val Thr Asp Thr Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg 1 5 10 15 Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp Glu His Ser Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys 20 25 30 Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp 35 40 45 Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys 50 55 60 Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Lys Tyr Pro His Thr His Leu Val His Gln 65 70 75 80 Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met 85 90 95 Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr 100 105 110 Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Val Val Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser 115 120 125 7 326 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (3)...(326) 7 ca aaa aga tcc aga agg gat ttt ggt ctt gac tgt gat gag cac tca 47 Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp Glu His Ser 1 5 10 15 aca gaa tca cga tgc tgt cgt tac cct cta act gtg gat ttt gaa gct 95 Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp Phe Glu Ala 20 25 30 ttt gga tgg gat tgg att atc gct cct aaa aga tat aag gcc aat tac 143 Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr 35 40 45 tgc tct gga gag tgt gaa ttt gta ttt tta caa aaa tat cct cat act 191 Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Lys Tyr Pro His Thr 50 55 60 cat ctg gta cac caa gca aac ccc aga ggt tca gca ggc cct tgc tgt 239 His Leu Val His Gln Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys 65 70 75 act ccc aca aag atg tct cca att aat atg cta tat ttt aat ggc aaa 287 Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe Asn Gly Lys 80 85 90 95 gaa caa ata ata tat ggg aaa att cca gcg atg gta gta 326 Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Val Val 100 105 8 108 PRT Homo sapiens 8 Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp Glu His Ser Thr 1 5 10 15 Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe 20 25 30 Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys 35 40 45 Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Lys Tyr Pro His Thr His 50 55 60 Leu Val His Gln Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr 65 70 75 80 Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu 85 90 95 Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Val Val 100 105 9 9 PRT Artificial Sequence Predicted amino acid sequence for SEQ ID NO1 9 Gly Trp Xaa Xaa Trp Xaa Xaa Xaa Pro 1 5 10 8 PRT Artificial Sequence Predicted amino acid sequence for SEQ ID NO2. 10 Met Xaa Val Xaa Ser Cys Xaa Cys 1 5 11 2676 DNA Mus musculus CDS (104)...(1231) 11 gtctctcgga cggtacatgc actaatattt cacttggcat tactcaaaag caaaaagaag 60 aaataagaac aagggaaaaa aaaagattgt gctgattttt aaa atg atg caa aaa 115 Met Met Gln Lys 1 ctg caa atg tat gtt tat att tac ctg ttc atg ctg att gct gct ggc 163 Leu Gln Met Tyr Val Tyr Ile Tyr Leu Phe Met Leu Ile Ala Ala Gly 5 10 15 20 cca gtg gat cta aat gag ggc agt gag aga gaa gaa aat gtg gaa aaa 211 Pro Val Asp Leu Asn Glu Gly Ser Glu Arg Glu Glu Asn Val Glu Lys 25 30 35 gag ggg ctg tgt aat gca tgt gcg tgg aga caa aac acg agg tac tcc 259 Glu Gly Leu Cys Asn Ala Cys Ala Trp Arg Gln Asn Thr Arg Tyr Ser 40 45 50 aga ata gaa gcc ata aaa att caa atc ctc agt aag ctg cgc ctg gaa 307 Arg Ile Glu Ala Ile Lys Ile Gln Ile Leu Ser Lys Leu Arg Leu Glu 55 60 65 aca gct cct aac atc agc aaa gat gct ata aga caa ctt ctg cca aga 355 Thr Ala Pro Asn Ile Ser Lys Asp Ala Ile Arg Gln Leu Leu Pro Arg 70 75 80 gcg cct cca ctc cgg gaa ctg atc gat cag tac gac gtc cag agg gat 403 Ala Pro Pro Leu Arg Glu Leu Ile Asp Gln Tyr Asp Val Gln Arg Asp 85 90 95 100 gac agc agt gat ggc tct ttg gaa gat gac gat tat cac gct acc acg 451 Asp Ser Ser Asp Gly Ser Leu Glu Asp Asp Asp Tyr His Ala Thr Thr 105 110 115 gaa aca atc att acc atg cct aca gag tct gac ttt cta atg caa gcg 499 Glu Thr Ile Ile Thr Met Pro Thr Glu Ser Asp Phe Leu Met Gln Ala 120 125 130 gat ggc aag ccc aaa tgt tgc ttt ttt aaa ttt agc tct aaa ata cag 547 Asp Gly Lys Pro Lys Cys Cys Phe Phe Lys Phe Ser Ser Lys Ile Gln 135 140 145 tac aac aaa gta gta aaa gcc caa ctg tgg ata tat ctc aga ccc gtc 595 Tyr Asn Lys Val Val Lys Ala Gln Leu Trp Ile Tyr Leu Arg Pro Val 150 155 160 aag act cct aca aca gtg ttt gtg caa atc ctg aga ctc atc aaa ccc 643 Lys Thr Pro Thr Thr Val Phe Val Gln Ile Leu Arg Leu Ile Lys Pro 165 170 175 180 atg aaa gac ggt aca agg tat act gga atc cga tct ctg aaa ctt gac 691 Met Lys Asp Gly Thr Arg Tyr Thr Gly Ile Arg Ser Leu Lys Leu Asp 185 190 195 atg agc cca ggc act ggt att tgg cag agt att gat gtg aag aca gtg 739 Met Ser Pro Gly Thr Gly Ile Trp Gln Ser Ile Asp Val Lys Thr Val 200 205 210 ttg caa aat tgg ctc aaa cag cct gaa tcc aac tta ggc att gaa atc 787 Leu Gln Asn Trp Leu Lys Gln Pro Glu Ser Asn Leu Gly Ile Glu Ile 215 220 225 aaa gct ttg gat gag aat ggc cat gat ctt gct gta acc ttc cca gga 835 Lys Ala Leu Asp Glu Asn Gly His Asp Leu Ala Val Thr Phe Pro Gly 230 235 240 cca gga gaa gat ggg ctg aat ccc ttt tta gaa gtc aag gtg aca gac 883 Pro Gly Glu Asp Gly Leu Asn Pro Phe Leu Glu Val Lys Val Thr Asp 245 250 255 260 aca ccc aag agg tcc cgg aga gac ttt ggg ctt gac tgc gat gag cac 931 Thr Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp Glu His 265 270 275 tcc acg gaa tcc cgg tgc tgc cgc tac ccc ctc acg gtc gat ttt gaa 979 Ser Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp Phe Glu 280 285 290 gcc ttt gga tgg gac tgg att atc gca ccc aaa aga tat aag gcc aat 1027 Ala Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn 295 300 305 tac tgc tca gga gag tgt gaa ttt gtg ttt tta caa aaa tat ccg cat 1075 Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Lys Tyr Pro His 310 315 320 act cat ctt gtg cac caa gca aac ccc aga ggc tca gca ggc cct tgc 1123 Thr His Leu Val His Gln Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Cys 325 330 335 340 tgc act ccg aca aaa atg tct ccc att aat atg cta tat ttt aat ggc 1171 Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe Asn Gly 345 350 355 aaa gaa caa ata ata tat ggg aaa att cca gcc atg gta gta gac cgc 1219 Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Val Val Asp Arg 360 365 370 tgt ggg tgc tca tgagctttgc attaggttag aaacttccca agtcatggaa 1271 Cys Gly Cys Ser 375 ggtcttcccc tcaatttcga aactgtgaat tcaagcacca caggctgtag gccttgagta 1331 tgctctagta acgtaagcac aagctacagt gtatgaacta aaagagagaa tagatgcaat 1391 ggttggcatt caaccaccaa aataaaccat actataggat gttgtatgat ttccagagtt 1451 tttgaaatag atggagatca aattacattt atgtccatat atgtatatta caactacaat 1511 ctaggcaagg aagtgagagc acatcttgtg gtctgctgag ttaggagggt atgattaaaa 1571 ggtaaagtct tatttcctaa cagtttcact taatatttac agaagaatct atatgtagcc 1631 tttgtaaagt gtaggattgt tatcatttaa aaacatcatg tacacttata tttgtattgt 1691 atacttggta agataaaatt ccacaaagta ggaatggggc ctcacataca cattgccatt 1751 cctattataa ttggacaatc caccacggtg ctaatgcagt gctgaatggc tcctactgga 1811 cctctcgata gaacactcta caaagtacga gtctctctct cccttccagg tgcatctcca 1871 cacacacagc actaagtgtt caatgcattt tctttaagga aagaagaatc tttttttcta 1931 gaggtcaact ttcagtcaac tctagcacag cgggagtgac tgctgcatct taaaaggcag 1991 ccaaacagta ttcatttttt aatctaaatt tcaaaatcac tgtctgcctt tatcacatgg 2051 caattttgtg gtaaaataat ggaaatgact ggttctatca atattgtata aaagactctg 2111 aaacaattac atttatataa tatgtataca atattgtttt gtaaataagt gtctcctttt 2171 atatttactt tggtatattt ttacactaat gaaatttcaa atcattaaag tacaaagaca 2231 tgtcatgtat cacaaaaaag gtgactgctt ctatttcaga gtgaattagc agattcaata 2291 gtggtcttaa aactctgtat gttaagatta gaaggttata ttacaatcaa tttatgtatt 2351 ttttacatta tcaacttatg gtttcatggt ggctgtatct atgaatgtgg ctcccagtca 2411 aatttcaatg ccccaccatt ttaaaaatta caagcattac taaacatacc aacatgtatc 2471 taaagaaata caaatatggt atctcaataa cagctacttt tttattttat aatttgacaa 2531 tgaatacatt tcttttattt acttcagttt tataaattgg aactttgttt atcaaatgta 2591 ttgtactcat agctaaatga aattatttct tacataaaaa tgtgtagaaa ctataaatta 2651 aagtgttttc acatttttga aaggc 2676 12 376 PRT Mus musculus 12 Met Met Gln Lys Leu Gln Met Tyr Val Tyr Ile Tyr Leu Phe Met Leu 1 5 10 15 Ile Ala Ala Gly Pro Val Asp Leu Asn Glu Gly Ser Glu Arg Glu Glu 20 25 30 Asn Val Glu Lys Glu Gly Leu Cys Asn Ala Cys Ala Trp Arg Gln Asn 35 40 45 Thr Arg Tyr Ser Arg Ile Glu Ala Ile Lys Ile Gln Ile Leu Ser Lys 50 55 60 Leu Arg Leu Glu Thr Ala Pro Asn Ile Ser Lys Asp Ala Ile Arg Gln 65 70 75 80 Leu Leu Pro Arg Ala Pro Pro Leu Arg Glu Leu Ile Asp Gln Tyr Asp 85 90 95 Val Gln Arg Asp Asp Ser Ser Asp Gly Ser Leu Glu Asp Asp Asp Tyr 100 105 110 His Ala Thr Thr Glu Thr Ile Ile Thr Met Pro Thr Glu Ser Asp Phe 115 120 125 Leu Met Gln Ala Asp Gly Lys Pro Lys Cys Cys Phe Phe Lys Phe Ser 130 135 140 Ser Lys Ile Gln Tyr Asn Lys Val Val Lys Ala Gln Leu Trp Ile Tyr 145 150 155 160 Leu Arg Pro Val Lys Thr Pro Thr Thr Val Phe Val Gln Ile Leu Arg 165 170 175 Leu Ile Lys Pro Met Lys Asp Gly Thr Arg Tyr Thr Gly Ile Arg Ser 180 185 190 Leu Lys Leu Asp Met Ser Pro Gly Thr Gly Ile Trp Gln Ser Ile Asp 195 200 205 Val Lys Thr Val Leu Gln Asn Trp Leu Lys Gln Pro Glu Ser Asn Leu 210 215 220 Gly Ile Glu Ile Lys Ala Leu Asp Glu Asn Gly His Asp Leu Ala Val 225 230 235 240 Thr Phe Pro Gly Pro Gly Glu Asp Gly Leu Asn Pro Phe Leu Glu Val 245 250 255 Lys Val Thr Asp Thr Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp 260 265 270 Cys Asp Glu His Ser Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr 275 280 285 Val Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg 290 295 300 Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln 305 310 315 320 Lys Tyr Pro His Thr His Leu Val His Gln Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser 325 330 335 Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu 340 345 350 Tyr Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met 355 360 365 Val Val Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser 370 375 13 2743 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (59)...(1183) 13 aagaaaagta aaaggaagaa acaagaacaa gaaaaaagat tatattgatt ttaaaatc 58 atg caa aaa ctg caa ctc tgt gtt tat att tac ctg ttt atg ctg att 106 gtt gct ggt cca gtg gat cta aat gag aac agt gag caa aaa gaa aat 154 Met Gln Lys Leu Gln Leu Cys Val Tyr Ile Tyr Leu Phe Met Leu Ile 1 5 10 15 gtg gaa aaa gag ggg ctg tgt aat gca tgt act tgg aga caa aac act 202 Val Ala Gly Pro Val Asp Leu Asn Glu Asn Ser Glu Gln Lys Glu Asn 20 25 30 aaa tct tca aga ata gaa gcc att aag ata caa atc ctc agt aaa ctt 250 Val Glu Lys Glu Gly Leu Cys Asn Ala Cys Thr Trp Arg Gln Asn Thr 35 40 45 cgt ctg gaa aca gct cct aac atc agc aaa gat gtt ata aga caa ctt 298 Lys Ser Ser Arg Ile Glu Ala Ile Lys Ile Gln Ile Leu Ser Lys Leu 50 55 60 tta ccc aaa gct cct cca ctc cgg gaa ctg att gat cag tat gat gtc 346 Arg Leu Glu Thr Ala Pro Asn Ile Ser Lys Asp Val Ile Arg Gln Leu 65 70 75 80 cag agg gat gac agc agc gat ggc tct ttg gaa gat gac gat tat cac 394 Leu Pro Lys Ala Pro Pro Leu Arg Glu Leu Ile Asp Gln Tyr Asp Val 85 90 95 gct aca acg gaa aca atc att acc atg cct aca gag tct gat ttt cta 442 Gln Arg Asp Asp Ser Ser Asp Gly Ser Leu Glu Asp Asp Asp Tyr His 100 105 110 atg caa gtg gat gga aaa ccc aaa tgt tgc ttc ttt aaa ttt agc tct 490 Ala Thr Thr Glu Thr Ile Ile Thr Met Pro Thr Glu Ser Asp Phe Leu 115 120 125 aaa ata caa tac aat aaa gta gta aag gcc caa cta tgg ata tat ttg 538 Met Gln Val Asp Gly Lys Pro Lys Cys Cys Phe Phe Lys Phe Ser Ser 130 135 140 aga ccc gtc gag act cct aca aca gtg ttt gtg caa atc ctg aga ctc 586 Lys Ile Gln Tyr Asn Lys Val Val Lys Ala Gln Leu Trp Ile Tyr Leu 145 150 155 160 atc aaa cct atg aaa gac ggt aca agg tat act gga atc cga tct ctg 634 Arg Pro Val Glu Thr Pro Thr Thr Val Phe Val Gln Ile Leu Arg Leu 165 170 175 aaa ctt gac atg aac cca ggc act ggt att tgg cag agc att gat gtg 682 Ile Lys Pro Met Lys Asp Gly Thr Arg Tyr Thr Gly Ile Arg Ser Leu 180 185 190 aag aca gtg ttg caa aat tgg ctc aaa caa cct gaa tcc aac tta ggc 730 Lys Leu Asp Met Asn Pro Gly Thr Gly Ile Trp Gln Ser Ile Asp Val 195 200 205 att gaa ata aaa gct tta gat gag aat ggt cat gat ctt gct gta acc 778 Lys Thr Val Leu Gln Asn Trp Leu Lys Gln Pro Glu Ser Asn Leu Gly 210 215 220 ttc cca gga cca gga gaa gat ggg ctg aat ccg ttt tta gag gtc aag 826 Ile Glu Ile Lys Ala Leu Asp Glu Asn Gly His Asp Leu Ala Val Thr 225 230 235 240 gta aca gac aca cca aaa aga tcc aga agg gat ttt ggt ctt gac tgt 874 Phe Pro Gly Pro Gly Glu Asp Gly Leu Asn Pro Phe Leu Glu Val Lys 245 250 255 gat gag cac tca aca gaa tca cga tgc tgt cgt tac cct cta act gtg 922 Val Thr Asp Thr Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys 260 265 270 gat ttt gaa gct ttt gga tgg gat tgg att atc gct cct aaa aga tat 970 Asp Glu His Ser Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val 275 280 285 aag gcc aat tac tgc tct gga gag tgt gaa ttt gta ttt tta caa aaa 1018 Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr 290 295 300 tat cct cat act cat ctg gta cac caa gca aac ccc aga ggt tca gca 1066 Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Lys 305 310 315 320 ggc cct tgc tgt act ccc aca aag atg tct cca att aat atg cta tat 1114 Tyr Pro His Thr His Leu Val His Gln Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala 325 330 335 ttt aat ggc aaa gaa caa ata ata tat ggg aaa att cca gcg atg gta 1162 Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr 340 345 350 gta gac cgc tgt ggg tgc tca tgagatttat attaagcgtt cataacttcc 1213 Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Val 355 360 365 taaaacatgg aaggttttcc cctcaacaat tttgaagctg tgaaattaag taccacaggc 1273 Val Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser 370 375 tataggccta gagtatgcta cagtcactta agcataagct acagtatgta aactaaaagg 1333 gggaatatat gcaatggttg gcatttaacc atccaaacaa atcatacaag aaagttttat 1393 gatttccaga gtttttgagc tagaaggaga tcaaattaca tttatgttcc tatatattac 1453 aacatcggcg aggaaatgaa agcgattctc cttgagttct gatgaattaa aggagtatgc 1513 tttaaagtct atttctttaa agttttgttt aatatttaca gaaaaatcca catacagtat 1573 tggtaaaatg caggattgtt atataccatc attcgaatca tccttaaaca cttgaattta 1633 tattgtatgg tagtatactt ggtaagataa aattccacaa aaatagggat ggtgcagcat 1693 atgcaatttc cattcctatt ataattgaca cagtacatta acaatccatg ccaacggtgc 1753 taatacgata ggctgaatgt ctgaggctac caggtttatc acataaaaaa cattcagtaa 1813 aatagtaagt ttctcttttc ttcaggtgca ttttcctaca cctccaaatg aggaatggat 1873 tttctttaat gtaagaagaa tcatttttct agaggttggc tttcaattct gtagcatact 1933 tggagaaact gcattatctt aaaaggcagt caaatggtgt ttgtttttat caaaatgtca 1993 aaataacata cttggagaag tatgtaattt tgtctttgga aaattacaac actgcctttg 2053 caacactgca gtttttatgg taaaataata gaaatgatcg actctatcaa tattgtataa 2113 aaagactgaa acaatgcatt tatataatat gtatacaata ttgttttgta aataagtgtc 2173 tcctttttta tttactttgg tatattttta cactaaggac atttcaaatt aagtactaag 2233 gcacaaagac atgtcatgca tcacagaaaa gcaactactt atatttcaga gcaaattagc 2293 agattaaata gtggtcttaa aactccatat gttaatgatt agatggttat attacaatca 2353 ttttatattt ttttacatga ttaacattca cttatggatt catgatggct gtataaagtg 2413 aatttgaaat ttcaatggtt tactgtcatt gtgtttaaat ctcaacgttc cattatttta 2473 atacttgcaa aaacattact aagtatacca aaataattga ctctattatc tgaaatgaag 2533 aataaactga tgctatctca acaataactg ttacttttat tttataattt gataatgaat 2593 atatttctgc atttatttac ttctgttttg taaattggga ttttgttaat caaatttatt 2653 gtactatgac taaatgaaat tatttcttac atctaatttg tagaaacagt ataagttata 2713 ttaaagtgtt ttcacatttt tttgaaagac 2743 14 375 PRT Homo sapiens 14 Met Gln Lys Leu Gln Leu Cys Val Tyr Ile Tyr Leu Phe Met Leu Ile 1 5 10 15 Val Ala Gly Pro Val Asp Leu Asn Glu Asn Ser Glu Gln Lys Glu Asn 20 25 30 Val Glu Lys Glu Gly Leu Cys Asn Ala Cys Thr Trp Arg Gln Asn Thr 35 40 45 Lys Ser Ser Arg Ile Glu Ala Ile Lys Ile Gln Ile Leu Ser Lys Leu 50 55 60 Arg Leu Glu Thr Ala Pro Asn Ile Ser Lys Asp Val Ile Arg Gln Leu 65 70 75 80 Leu Pro Lys Ala Pro Pro Leu Arg Glu Leu Ile Asp Gln Tyr Asp Val 85 90 95 Gln Arg Asp Asp Ser Ser Asp Gly Ser Leu Glu Asp Asp Asp Tyr His 100 105 110 Ala Thr Thr Glu Thr Ile Ile Thr Met Pro Thr Glu Ser Asp Phe Leu 115 120 125 Met Gln Val Asp Gly Lys Pro Lys Cys Cys Phe Phe Lys Phe Ser Ser 130 135 140 Lys Ile Gln Tyr Asn Lys Val Val Lys Ala Gln Leu Trp Ile Tyr Leu 145 150 155 160 Arg Pro Val Glu Thr Pro Thr Thr Val Phe Val Gln Ile Leu Arg Leu 165 170 175 Ile Lys Pro Met Lys Asp Gly Thr Arg Tyr Thr Gly Ile Arg Ser Leu 180 185 190 Lys Leu Asp Met Asn Pro Gly Thr Gly Ile Trp Gln Ser Ile Asp Val 195 200 205 Lys Thr Val Leu Gln Asn Trp Leu Lys Gln Pro Glu Ser Asn Leu Gly 210 215 220 Ile Glu Ile Lys Ala Leu Asp Glu Asn Gly His Asp Leu Ala Val Thr 225 230 235 240 Phe Pro Gly Pro Gly Glu Asp Gly Leu Asn Pro Phe Leu Glu Val Lys 245 250 255 Val Thr Asp Thr Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys 260 265 270 Asp Glu His Ser Thr Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val 275 280 285 Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr 290 295 300 Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Lys 305 310 315 320 Tyr Pro His Thr His Leu Val His Gln Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala 325 330 335 Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr 340 345 350 Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Val 355 360 365 Val Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser 370 375 15 34 DNA Artificial Sequence Oligonucleotides for PCR 15 cgcggatccg tggatctaaa tgagaacagt gagc 34 16 37 DNA Artificial Sequence Oligonucleotides for PCR 16 cgcgaattct caggtaatga ttgtttccgt tgtagcg 37 17 20 DNA Artificial Sequence Oligonucleotides for PCR 17 acactaaatc ttcaagaata 20 18 790 DNA Gallus gallus CDS (1)...(678) 18 tta gta gta aag gca caa tta tgg ata tac ttg agg caa gtc caa aaa 48 Leu Val Val Lys Ala Gln Leu Trp Ile Tyr Leu Arg Gln Val Gln Lys 1 5 10 15 cct aca acg gtg ttt gtg cag atc ctg aga ctc att aag ccc atg aaa 96 Pro Thr Thr Val Phe Val Gln Ile Leu Arg Leu Ile Lys Pro Met Lys 20 25 30 gac ggt aca aga tat act gga att cga tct ttg aaa ctt gac atg aac 144 Asp Gly Thr Arg Tyr Thr Gly Ile Arg Ser Leu Lys Leu Asp Met Asn 35 40 45 cca ggc act ggt atc tgg cag agt att gat gtg aag aca gtg ctg caa 192 Pro Gly Thr Gly Ile Trp Gln Ser Ile Asp Val Lys Thr Val Leu Gln 50 55 60 aat tgg ctc aaa cag cct gaa tcc aat tta ggc atc gaa ata aaa gct 240 Asn Trp Leu Lys Gln Pro Glu Ser Asn Leu Gly Ile Glu Ile Lys Ala 65 70 75 80 ttt gat gag act gga cga gat ctt gct gtc aca ttc cca gga cca gga 288 Phe Asp Glu Thr Gly Arg Asp Leu Ala Val Thr Phe Pro Gly Pro Gly 85 90 95 gaa gat gga ttg aac cca ttt tta gag gtc aga gtt aca gac aca ccg 336 Glu Asp Gly Leu Asn Pro Phe Leu Glu Val Arg Val Thr Asp Thr Pro 100 105 110 aaa cgg tcc cgc aga gat ttt ggc ctt gac tgt gat gag cac tca acg 384 Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp Glu His Ser Thr 115 120 125 gaa tcc cga tgt tgt cgc tac ccg ctg aca gtg gat ttc gaa gct ttt 432 Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe 130 135 140 gga tgg gac tgg att ata gca cct aaa aga tac aaa gcc aat tac tgc 480 Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys 145 150 155 160 tcc gga gaa tgc gaa ttt gtg ttt cta cag aaa tac ccg cac act cac 528 Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Lys Tyr Pro His Thr His 165 170 175 ctg gta cac caa gca aat ccc aga ggc tca gca ggc cct tgc tgc aca 576 Leu Val His Gln Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr 180 185 190 ccc acc aag atg tcc cct ata aac atg ctg tat ttc aat gga aaa gaa 624 Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu 195 200 205 caa ata ata tat gga aag ata cca gcc atg gtt gta gat cgt tgc ggg 672 Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Val Val Asp Arg Cys Gly 210 215 220 tgc tca tgaggctgtc gtgagatcca ccattcgata aattgtggaa gccaccaaaa 728 Cys Ser 225 aaaaaagcta tatcccctca tccatctttg aaactgtgaa attacgtacg ctaggcattg 788 cc 790 19 225 PRT Gallus gallus 19 Val Val Lys Ala Gln Leu Trp Ile Tyr Leu Arg Gln Val Gln Lys Pro 1 5 10 15 Thr Thr Val Phe Val Gln Ile Leu Arg Leu Ile Lys Pro Met Lys Asp 20 25 30 Gly Thr Arg Tyr Thr Gly Ile Arg Ser Leu Lys Leu Asp Met Asn Pro 35 40 45 Gly Thr Gly Ile Trp Gln Ser Ile Asp Val Lys Thr Val Leu Gln Asn 50 55 60 Trp Leu Lys Gln Pro Glu Ser Asn Leu Gly Ile Glu Ile Lys Ala Phe 65 70 75 80 Asp Glu Thr Gly Arg Asp Leu Ala Val Thr Phe Pro Gly Pro Gly Glu 85 90 95 Asp Gly Leu Asn Pro Phe Leu Glu Val Arg Val Thr Asp Thr Pro Lys 100 105 110 Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp Glu His Ser Thr Glu 115 120 125 Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe Gly 130 135 140 Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser 145 150 155 160 Gly Glu Cys Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Lys Tyr Pro His Thr His Leu 165 170 175 Val His Gln Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro 180 185 190 Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu Gln 195 200 205 Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Val Val Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys 210 215 220 Ser 225 20 480 DNA Rattus norvegicus CDS (1)...(390) 20 gaa gat ggg ctg aat ccc ttt tta gaa gtc aaa gta aca gac aca ccc 48 Glu Asp Gly Leu Asn Pro Phe Leu Glu Val Lys Val Thr Asp Thr Pro 1 5 10 15 aag agg tcc cgg aga gac ttt ggg ctt gac tgc gat gaa cac tcc acg 96 Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp Glu His Ser Thr 20 25 30 gaa tcg cgg tgc tgt cgc tac ccc ctc acg gtc gat ttc gaa gcc ttt 144 Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe 35 40 45 gga tgg gac tgg att att gca ccc aaa aga tat aag gct aat tac tgc 192 Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys 50 55 60 tct gga gag tgt gaa ttt gtg ttc tta caa aaa tat ccg cat act cat 240 Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Lys Tyr Pro His Thr His 65 70 75 80 ctt gtg cac caa gca aac ccc aga ggc tcg gca ggc cct tgc tgc acg 288 Leu Val His Gln Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr 85 90 95 cca aca aaa atg tct ccc att aat atg cta tat ttt aat ggc aaa gaa 336 Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu 100 105 110 caa ata ata tat ggg aaa att cca gcc atg gta gta gac cgg tgt ggg 384 Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Val Val Asp Arg Cys Gly 115 120 125 tgc tcg tgagctttgc attagcttta aaatttccca aatcgtggaa ggtcttcccc 440 Cys Ser 130 tcgatttcga aactgtgaat ttatgtacca caggctgtag 480 21 130 PRT Rattus norvegicus 21 Glu Asp Gly Leu Asn Pro Phe Leu Glu Val Lys Val Thr Asp Thr Pro 1 5 10 15 Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Phe Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp Glu His Ser Thr 20 25 30 Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp Phe Glu Ala Phe 35 40 45 Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys 50 55 60 Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Gln Lys Tyr Pro His Thr His 65 70 75 80 Leu Val His Gln Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr 85 90 95 Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe Asn Gly Lys Glu 100 105 110 Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ala Met Val Val Asp Arg Cys Gly 115 120 125 Cys Ser 130 22 123 PRT Artificial Sequence GDF-1 22 Arg Pro Arg Arg Asp Ala Glu Pro Val Leu Gly Gly Gly Pro Gly Gly 1 5 10 15 Ala Cys Arg Ala Arg Arg Leu Tyr Val Ser Phe Arg Glu Val Gly Trp 20 25 30 His Arg Trp Val Ile Ala Pro Arg Gly Phe Leu Ala Asn Tyr Cys Gln 35 40 45 Gly Gln Cys Ala Leu Pro Val Ala Leu Ser Gly Ser Gly Gly Pro Pro 50 55 60 Ala Leu Asn His Ala Val Leu Arg Ala Leu Met His Ala Ala Ala Pro 65 70 75 80 Gly Ala Ala Asp Leu Pro Cys Cys Val Pro Ala Arg Leu Ser Pro Ile 85 90 95 Ser Val Leu Phe Phe Asp Asn Ser Asp Asn Val Val Leu Arg Gln Tyr 100 105 110 Glu Asp Met Val Val Asp Glu Cys Gly Cys Arg 115 120 23 118 PRT Artificial Sequence BMP-2 23 Arg Glu Lys Arg Gln Ala Lys His Lys Gln Arg Lys Arg Leu Lys Ser 1 5 10 15 Ser Cys Lys Arg His Pro Leu Tyr Val Asp Phe Ser Asp Val Gly Trp 20 25 30 Asn Asp Trp Ile Val Ala Pro Pro Gly Tyr His Ala Phe Tyr Cys His 35 40 45 Gly Glu Cys Pro Phe Pro Leu Ala Asp His Leu Asn Ser Thr Asn His 50 55 60 Ala Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val Asn Ser Val Asn Ser Lys Ile Pro Lys 65 70 75 80 Ala Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Glu Leu Ser Ala Ile Ser Met Leu Tyr Leu 85 90 95 Asp Glu Asn Glu Lys Val Val Leu Lys Asn Tyr Gln Asp Met Val Val 100 105 110 Glu Gly Cys Gly Cys Arg 115 24 118 PRT Artificial Sequence BMP-4 24 Lys Arg Ser Pro Lys His His Ser Gln Arg Ala Arg Lys Lys Asn Lys 1 5 10 15 Asn Cys Arg Arg His Ser Leu Tyr Val Asp Phe Ser Asp Val Gly Trp 20 25 30 Asn Asp Trp Ile Val Ala Pro Pro Gly Tyr Gln Ala Phe Tyr Cys His 35 40 45 Gly Asp Cys Pro Phe Pro Leu Ala Asp His Leu Asn Ser Thr Asn His 50 55 60 Ala Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val Asn Ser Val Asn Ser Ser Ile Pro Lys 65 70 75 80 Ala Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Glu Leu Ser Ala Ile Ser Met Leu Tyr Leu 85 90 95 Asp Glu Tyr Asp Lys Val Val Leu Lys Asn Tyr Gln Glu Met Val Val 100 105 110 Glu Gly Cys Gly Cys Arg 115 25 119 PRT Artificial Sequence Vgr-1 25 Ser Arg Gly Ser Gly Ser Ser Asp Tyr Asn Gly Ser Glu Leu Lys Thr 1 5 10 15 Ala Cys Lys Lys His Glu Leu Tyr Val Ser Phe Gln Asp Leu Gly Trp 20 25 30 Gln Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Gly Tyr Ala Ala Asn Tyr Cys Asp 35 40 45 Gly Glu Cys Ser Phe Pro Leu Asn Ala His Met Asn Ala Thr Asn His 50 55 60 Ala Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val His Leu Met Asn Pro Glu Tyr Val Pro 65 70 75 80 Lys Pro Cys Cys Ala Pro Thr Lys Leu Asn Ala Ile Ser Val Leu Tyr 85 90 95 Phe Asp Asp Asn Ser Asn Val Ile Leu Lys Lys Tyr Arg Asn Met Val 100 105 110 Val Arg Ala Cys Gly Cys His 115 26 119 PRT Artificial Sequence OP-1 26 Leu Arg Met Ala Asn Val Ala Glu Asn Ser Ser Ser Asp Gln Arg Gln 1 5 10 15 Ala Cys Lys Lys His Glu Leu Tyr Val Ser Phe Arg Asp Leu Gly Trp 20 25 30 Gln Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Glu Gly Tyr Ala Ala Tyr Tyr Cys Glu 35 40 45 Gly Glu Cys Ala Phe Pro Leu Asn Ser Tyr Met Asn Ala Thr Asn His 50 55 60 Ala Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val His Phe Ile Asn Pro Glu Thr Val Pro 65 70 75 80 Lys Pro Cys Cys Ala Pro Thr Gln Leu Asn Ala Ile Ser Val Leu Tyr 85 90 95 Phe Asp Asp Ser Ser Asn Val Ile Leu Lys Lys Tyr Arg Asn Met Val 100 105 110 Val Arg Ala Cys Gly Cys His 115 27 119 PRT Artificial Sequence BMP-5 27 Ser Arg Met Ser Ser Val Gly Asp Tyr Asn Thr Ser Glu Gln Lys Gln 1 5 10 15 Ala Cys Lys Lys His Glu Leu Tyr Val Ser Phe Arg Asp Leu Gly Trp 20 25 30 Gln Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Glu Gly Tyr Ala Ala Phe Tyr Cys Asp 35 40 45 Gly Glu Cys Ser Phe Pro Leu Asn Ala His Met Asn Ala Thr Asn His 50 55 60 Ala Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val His Leu Met Phe Pro Asp His Val Pro 65 70 75 80 Lys Pro Cys Cys Ala Pro Thr Lys Leu Asn Ala Ile Ser Val Leu Tyr 85 90 95 Phe Asp Asp Ser Ser Asn Val Ile Leu Lys Lys Tyr Arg Asn Met Val 100 105 110 Val Arg Ser Cys Gly Cys His 115 28 1125 DNA Danio rerio CDS (1)...(1122) 28 atg cat ttt aca cag gtt tta att tct cta agt gta tta att gca tgt 48 Met His Phe Thr Gln Val Leu Ile Ser Leu Ser Val Leu Ile Ala Cys 1 5 10 15 ggt cca gtg ggt tat gga gat ata acg gcg cac cag cag cct tcc aca 96 Gly Pro Val Gly Tyr Gly Asp Ile Thr Ala His Gln Gln Pro Ser Thr 20 25 30 gcc acg gag gaa agc gag ctg tgt tcc aca tgt gag ttc aga caa cac 144 Ala Thr Glu Glu Ser Glu Leu Cys Ser Thr Cys Glu Phe Arg Gln His 35 40 45 agc aag ctg atg aga ctg cat gcc atc aag tcc caa att ctt agc aaa 192 Ser Lys Leu Met Arg Leu His Ala Ile Lys Ser Gln Ile Leu Ser Lys 50 55 60 ctc cga ctc aag cag gct cca aac atc agc cgg gac gtg gtc aag cag 240 Leu Arg Leu Lys Gln Ala Pro Asn Ile Ser Arg Asp Val Val Lys Gln 65 70 75 80 ctg tta ccc aaa gca ccg cct ttg caa caa ctt ctg gat cag tac gat 288 Leu Leu Pro Lys Ala Pro Pro Leu Gln Gln Leu Leu Asp Gln Tyr Asp 85 90 95 gtt tta gga gat gac agt aag gat gga gct gtg gaa gag gac gat gaa 336 Val Leu Gly Asp Asp Ser Lys Asp Gly Ala Val Glu Glu Asp Asp Glu 100 105 110 cat gcc acc aca gag acc atc atg acc atg gcc aca gaa cct gac ccc 384 His Ala Thr Thr Glu Thr Ile Met Thr Met Ala Thr Glu Pro Asp Pro 115 120 125 att gtt caa gta gat cgg aaa ccg aag tgt tgc ttt ttc tcc ttc agt 432 Ile Val Gln Val Asp Arg Lys Pro Lys Cys Cys Phe Phe Ser Phe Ser 130 135 140 ccg aag atc caa gcg aac cgg atc gta aga gcg cag ctc tgg gtt cat 480 Pro Lys Ile Gln Ala Asn Arg Ile Val Arg Ala Gln Leu Trp Val His 145 150 155 160 ctg aga ccg gcg gag gag gcg acc acc gtc ttc tta cag ata tct cgg 528 Leu Arg Pro Ala Glu Glu Ala Thr Thr Val Phe Leu Gln Ile Ser Arg 165 170 175 ctg atg ccc gtt aag gac gga gga aga cac cga ata cga tcc ctg aaa 576 Leu Met Pro Val Lys Asp Gly Gly Arg His Arg Ile Arg Ser Leu Lys 180 185 190 atc gac gtg aac gca gga gtc acg tct tgg cag agt ata gac gta aag 624 Ile Asp Val Asn Ala Gly Val Thr Ser Trp Gln Ser Ile Asp Val Lys 195 200 205 cag gtg ctc acg gtg tgg tta aaa caa ccg gag acc aac cga ggc atc 672 Gln Val Leu Thr Val Trp Leu Lys Gln Pro Glu Thr Asn Arg Gly Ile 210 215 220 gag att aac gca tat gac gcg aag gga aac gac ttg gcc gtc act tca 720 Glu Ile Asn Ala Tyr Asp Ala Lys Gly Asn Asp Leu Ala Val Thr Ser 225 230 235 240 acc gag act ggg gag gat gga ctg ctc ccc ttt atg gag gtg aaa ata 768 Thr Glu Thr Gly Glu Asp Gly Leu Leu Pro Phe Met Glu Val Lys Ile 245 250 255 tca gag ggc cca aaa cga atc cgg agg gac tcc gga ctg gac tgc gat 816 Ser Glu Gly Pro Lys Arg Ile Arg Arg Asp Ser Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp 260 265 270 gag aat tcc tca gag tct cgc tgc tgc agg tac cct ctc act gtg gac 864 Glu Asn Ser Ser Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp 275 280 285 ttc gag gac ttt ggc tgg gac tgg att att gct cca aaa cgc tat aag 912 Phe Glu Asp Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys 290 295 300 gcg aat tac tgt tca gga gaa tgc gac tac atg tac ctg cag aag tat 960 Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Asp Tyr Met Tyr Leu Gln Lys Tyr 305 310 315 320 ccc cac acc cat ctg gtg aac aag gcc agt ccg aga gga acg gct ggg 1008 Pro His Thr His Leu Val Asn Lys Ala Ser Pro Arg Gly Thr Ala Gly 325 330 335 ccc tgc tgc act ccc acc aag atg tct ccc atc aac atg ctt tac ttt 1056 Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe 340 345 350 aac ggc aaa gag cag atc atc tac ggc aag atc cct tcg atg gta gta 1104 Asn Gly Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ser Met Val Val 355 360 365 gac cgc tgt ggc tgc tca tga 1125 Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser 370 29 374 PRT Danio rerio 29 Met His Phe Thr Gln Val Leu Ile Ser Leu Ser Val Leu Ile Ala Cys 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Val Gly Tyr Gly Asp Ile Thr Ala His Gln Gln Pro Ser Thr 20 25 30 Ala Thr Glu Glu Ser Glu Leu Cys Ser Thr Cys Glu Phe Arg Gln His 35 40 45 Ser Lys Leu Met Arg Leu His Ala Ile Lys Ser Gln Ile Leu Ser Lys 50 55 60 Leu Arg Leu Lys Gln Ala Pro Asn Ile Ser Arg Asp Val Val Lys Gln 65 70 75 80 Leu Leu Pro Lys Ala Pro Pro Leu Gln Gln Leu Leu Asp Gln Tyr Asp 85 90 95 Val Leu Gly Asp Asp Ser Lys Asp Gly Ala Val Glu Glu Asp Asp Glu 100 105 110 His Ala Thr Thr Glu Thr Ile Met Thr Met Ala Thr Glu Pro Asp Pro 115 120 125 Ile Val Gln Val Asp Arg Lys Pro Lys Cys Cys Phe Phe Ser Phe Ser 130 135 140 Pro Lys Ile Gln Ala Asn Arg Ile Val Arg Ala Gln Leu Trp Val His 145 150 155 160 Leu Arg Pro Ala Glu Glu Ala Thr Thr Val Phe Leu Gln Ile Ser Arg 165 170 175 Leu Met Pro Val Lys Asp Gly Gly Arg His Arg Ile Arg Ser Leu Lys 180 185 190 Ile Asp Val Asn Ala Gly Val Thr Ser Trp Gln Ser Ile Asp Val Lys 195 200 205 Gln Val Leu Thr Val Trp Leu Lys Gln Pro Glu Thr Asn Arg Gly Ile 210 215 220 Glu Ile Asn Ala Tyr Asp Ala Lys Gly Asn Asp Leu Ala Val Thr Ser 225 230 235 240 Thr Glu Thr Gly Glu Asp Gly Leu Leu Pro Phe Met Glu Val Lys Ile 245 250 255 Ser Glu Gly Pro Lys Arg Ile Arg Arg Asp Ser Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp 260 265 270 Glu Asn Ser Ser Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp 275 280 285 Phe Glu Asp Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys 290 295 300 Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Asp Tyr Met Tyr Leu Gln Lys Tyr 305 310 315 320 Pro His Thr His Leu Val Asn Lys Ala Ser Pro Arg Gly Thr Ala Gly 325 330 335 Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe 340 345 350 Asn Gly Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ser Met Val Val 355 360 365 Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser 370 30 476 DNA Piscine CDS (3)...(474) 30 gg cag ccg gag acg aat tgg ggg atc gag att aat gcg ttc gac tcg 47 Gln Pro Glu Thr Asn Trp Gly Ile Glu Ile Asn Ala Phe Asp Ser 1 5 10 15 aag gga aat gat ctg gcc gtt acc tca gca gaa gcg gga gaa gga ctg 95 Lys Gly Asn Asp Leu Ala Val Thr Ser Ala Glu Ala Gly Glu Gly Leu 20 25 30 caa ccc ttc atg gag gtg acg att tca gag ggc ccg aag cgc tcc agg 143 Gln Pro Phe Met Glu Val Thr Ile Ser Glu Gly Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg 35 40 45 aga gac tcg ggc ctg gac tgt gac gag aac tcc ccc gag tcc cgc tgt 191 Arg Asp Ser Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp Glu Asn Ser Pro Glu Ser Arg Cys 50 55 60 tgc cgc tac ccc ctc acg gta gac ttt gaa gac ttt ggc tgg gac tgg 239 Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp Phe Glu Asp Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp 65 70 75 att att gcc ccc aag cgc tac aag gcc aac tac tgc tct ggt gag tgt 287 Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys 80 85 90 95 gag tac atg cac ctg cag aag tac ccc cac acc cac ctg gtg aac aag 335 Glu Tyr Met His Leu Gln Lys Tyr Pro His Thr His Leu Val Asn Lys 100 105 110 gct aac cct cgc ggc acc gca ggg ccc tgc tgc acc ccc acc aag atg 383 Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Thr Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met 115 120 125 tcc ccc atc aac atg ctc tac ttc aac cgc aaa gag cag atc atc tac 431 Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe Asn Arg Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr 130 135 140 ggc aag atc ccc tcc atg gtg gtg gac cgt tgc gga tgc tcg t 474 Gly Lys Ile Pro Ser Met Val Val Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser 145 150 155 ga 476 31 157 PRT Piscine 31 Gln Pro Glu Thr Asn Trp Gly Ile Glu Ile Asn Ala Phe Asp Ser Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly Asn Asp Leu Ala Val Thr Ser Ala Glu Ala Gly Glu Gly Leu Gln 20 25 30 Pro Phe Met Glu Val Thr Ile Ser Glu Gly Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg 35 40 45 Asp Ser Gly Leu Asp Cys Asp Glu Asn Ser Pro Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys 50 55 60 Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Asp Phe Glu Asp Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile 65 70 75 80 Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu 85 90 95 Tyr Met His Leu Gln Lys Tyr Pro His Thr His Leu Val Asn Lys Ala 100 105 110 Asn Pro Arg Gly Thr Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser 115 120 125 Pro Ile Asn Met Leu Tyr Phe Asn Arg Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly 130 135 140 Lys Ile Pro Ser Met Val Val Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser 145 150 155 32 412 DNA Piscine CDS (2)...(409) 32 g gtt acc tca act gaa gcc gga gaa gga ctg caa ccc ttc atg gag gtg 49 Val Thr Ser Thr Glu Ala Gly Glu Gly Leu Gln Pro Phe Met Glu Val 1 5 10 15 aag att tcg gag ggc ccg aag cgc tcc agg aga gat tcg ggc ctg gac 97 Lys Ile Ser Glu Gly Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Ser Gly Leu Asp 20 25 30 tgt gat gag aac tcc ccc gag tcc cgc tgc tgc cgg tac ccc ctc acg 145 Cys Asp Glu Asn Ser Pro Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr 35 40 45 gtg gac ttt gaa gac ttt ggc tgg gac tgg att att gcc ccc aag cgc 193 Val Asp Phe Glu Asp Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg 50 55 60 tac aag gcc aac tac tgc tct ggt gag tgc gag tac atg cac ctg cag 241 Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Tyr Met His Leu Gln 65 70 75 80 aag tac ccc cac acc cac ctg gtg aac aag gct aac cct cgc ggc acc 289 Lys Tyr Pro His Thr His Leu Val Asn Lys Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Thr 85 90 95 gcg ggg ccc tgc tgc acc ccc acc aag atg tcc ccc atc aac atg ctc 337 Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu 100 105 110 tac ttc aac cgc aaa gag cag atc atc tac ggc aag atc ccc tcc atg 385 Tyr Phe Asn Arg Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ser Met 115 120 125 gtg gtg gac cgc tgc ggc tgc tcg tga 412 Val Val Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser 130 135 33 136 PRT Piscine 33 Val Thr Ser Thr Glu Ala Gly Glu Gly Leu Gln Pro Phe Met Glu Val 1 5 10 15 Lys Ile Ser Glu Gly Pro Lys Arg Ser Arg Arg Asp Ser Gly Leu Asp 20 25 30 Cys Asp Glu Asn Ser Pro Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Tyr Pro Leu Thr 35 40 45 Val Asp Phe Glu Asp Phe Gly Trp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Arg 50 55 60 Tyr Lys Ala Asn Tyr Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Glu Tyr Met His Leu Gln 65 70 75 80 Lys Tyr Pro His Thr His Leu Val Asn Lys Ala Asn Pro Arg Gly Thr 85 90 95 Ala Gly Pro Cys Cys Thr Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Asn Met Leu 100 105 110 Tyr Phe Asn Arg Lys Glu Gln Ile Ile Tyr Gly Lys Ile Pro Ser Met 115 120 125 Val Val Asp Arg Cys Gly Cys Ser 130 135 34 120 PRT Artificial Sequence BMP-3 34 Glu Gln Thr Leu Lys Lys Ala Arg Arg Lys Gln Trp Ile Glu Pro Arg 1 5 10 15 Asn Cys Ala Arg Arg Tyr Leu Lys Val Asp Phe Ala Asp Ile Gly Trp 20 25 30 Ser Glu Trp Ile Ile Ser Pro Lys Ser Phe Asp Ala Tyr Tyr Cys Ser 35 40 45 Gly Ala Cys Gln Phe Pro Met Pro Lys Ser Leu Lys Pro Ser Asn His 50 55 60 Ala Thr Ile Gln Ser Ile Val Arg Ala Val Gly Val Val Pro Gly Ile 65 70 75 80 Pro Glu Pro Cys Cys Val Pro Glu Lys Met Ser Ser Leu Ser Ile Leu 85 90 95 Phe Phe Asp Glu Asn Lys Asn Val Val Leu Lys Val Tyr Pro Asn Met 100 105 110 Thr Val Glu Ser Cys Ala Cys Arg 115 120 35 116 PRT Artificial Sequence MIS 35 Gly Pro Gly Arg Ala Gln Arg Ser Ala Gly Ala Thr Ala Ala Asp Gly 1 5 10 15 Pro Cys Ala Leu Arg Glu Leu Ser Val Asp Leu Arg Ala Glu Arg Ser 20 25 30 Val Leu Ile Pro Glu Thr Tyr Gln Ala Asn Asn Cys Gln Gly Val Cys 35 40 45 Gly Trp Pro Gln Ser Asp Arg Asn Pro Arg Tyr Gly Asn His Val Val 50 55 60 Leu Leu Leu Lys Met Gln Ala Arg Gly Ala Ala Leu Ala Arg Pro Pro 65 70 75 80 Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Ala Tyr Ala Gly Lys Leu Leu Ile Ser Leu Ser 85 90 95 Glu Glu Arg Ile Ser Ala His His Val Pro Asn Met Val Ala Thr Glu 100 105 110 Cys Gly Cys Arg 115 36 106 PRT Artificial Sequence Inhibin-alpha 36 Asn Cys His Arg Val Ala Leu Asn Ile Ser Phe Gln Glu Leu Gly Trp 1 5 10 15 Glu Arg Trp Ile Val Tyr Pro Pro Ser Phe Ile Phe His Tyr Cys His 20 25 30 Gly Gly Cys Gly Leu His Ile Pro Pro Asn Leu Ser Leu Pro Val Pro 35 40 45 Gly Ala Pro Pro Thr Pro Ala Gln Pro Tyr Ser Leu Leu Pro Gly Ala 50 55 60 Gln Pro Cys Cys Ala Ala Leu Pro Gly Thr Met Arg Pro Leu His Val 65 70 75 80 Arg Thr Thr Ser Asp Gly Gly Tyr Ser Phe Lys Tyr Glu Thr Val Pro 85 90 95 Asn Leu Leu Thr Gln His Cys Ala Cys Ile 100 105 37 122 PRT Artificial Sequence Inhibin-beta-A 37 His Arg Arg Arg Arg Arg Gly Leu Glu Cys Asp Gly Lys Val Asn Ile 1 5 10 15 Cys Cys Lys Lys Gln Phe Phe Val Ser Phe Lys Asp Ile Gly Trp Asn 20 25 30 Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Ser Gly Tyr His Ala Asn Tyr Cys Glu Gly 35 40 45 Glu Cys Pro Ser His Ile Ala Gly Thr Ser Gly Ser Ser Leu Ser Phe 50 55 60 His Ser Thr Val Ile Asn His Tyr Arg Met Arg Gly His Ser Pro Phe 65 70 75 80 Ala Asn Leu Lys Ser Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Lys Leu Arg Pro Met Ser 85 90 95 Met Leu Tyr Tyr Asp Asp Gly Gln Asn Ile Ile Lys Lys Asp Ile Gln 100 105 110 Asn Met Ile Val Glu Glu Cys Gly Cys Ser 115 120 38 121 PRT Artificial Sequence Inhibin-beta-B 38 His Arg Ile Arg Lys Arg Gly Leu Glu Cys Asp Gly Arg Thr Asn Leu 1 5 10 15 Cys Cys Arg Gln Gln Phe Phe Ile Asp Phe Arg Leu Ile Gly Trp Asn 20 25 30 Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Thr Gly Tyr Tyr Gly Asn Tyr Cys Glu Gly 35 40 45 Ser Cys Pro Ala Tyr Leu Ala Gly Val Pro Gly Ser Ala Ser Ser Phe 50 55 60 His Thr Ala Val Val Asn Gln Tyr Arg Met Arg Gly Leu Asn Pro Gly 65 70 75 80 Thr Val Asn Ser Cys Cys Ile Pro Thr Lys Leu Ser Thr Met Ser Met 85 90 95 Leu Tyr Phe Asp Asp Glu Tyr Asn Ile Val Lys Arg Asp Val Pro Asn 100 105 110 Met Ile Val Glu Glu Cys Gly Cys Ala 115 120 39 115 PRT Artificial Sequence TGF-beta-1 39 His Arg Arg Ala Leu Asp Thr Asn Tyr Cys Phe Ser Ser Thr Glu Lys 1 5 10 15 Asn Cys Cys Val Arg Gln Leu Tyr Ile Asp Phe Arg Lys Asp Leu Gly 20 25 30 Trp Lys Trp Ile His Glu Pro Lys Gly Tyr His Ala Asn Phe Cys Leu 35 40 45 Gly Pro Cys Pro Tyr Ile Trp Ser Leu Asp Thr Gln Tyr Ser Lys Val 50 55 60 Leu Ala Leu Tyr Asn Gln His Asn Pro Gly Ala Ser Ala Ala Pro Cys 65 70 75 80 Cys Val Pro Gln Ala Leu Glu Pro Leu Pro Ile Val Tyr Tyr Val Gly 85 90 95 Arg Lys Pro Lys Val Glu Gln Leu Ser Asn Met Ile Val Arg Ser Cys 100 105 110 Lys Cys Ser 115 40 115 PRT Artificial Sequence TGF-beta-2 40 Lys Lys Arg Ala Leu Asp Ala Ala Tyr Cys Phe Arg Asn Val Gln Asp 1 5 10 15 Asn Cys Cys Leu Arg Pro Leu Tyr Ile Asp Phe Lys Arg Asp Leu Gly 20 25 30 Trp Lys Trp Ile His Glu Pro Lys Gly Tyr Asn Ala Asn Phe Cys Ala 35 40 45 Gly Ala Cys Pro Tyr Leu Trp Ser Ser Asp Thr Gln His Ser Arg Val 50 55 60 Leu Ser Leu Tyr Asn Thr Ile Asn Pro Glu Ala Ser Ala Ser Pro Cys 65 70 75 80 Cys Val Ser Gln Asp Leu Glu Pro Leu Thr Ile Leu Tyr Tyr Ile Gly 85 90 95 Lys Thr Pro Lys Ile Glu Gln Leu Ser Asn Met Ile Val Lys Ser Cys 100 105 110 Lys Cys Ser 115 41 115 PRT Artificial Sequence TGF-beta-3 41 Lys Lys Arg Ala Leu Asp Thr Asn Tyr Cys Phe Arg Asn Leu Glu Glu 1 5 10 15 Asn Cys Cys Val Arg Pro Leu Tyr Ile Asp Phe Arg Gln Asp Leu Gly 20 25 30 Trp Lys Trp Val His Glu Pro Lys Gly Tyr Tyr Ala Asn Phe Cys Ser 35 40 45 Gly Pro Cys Pro Tyr Leu Arg Ser Ala Asp Thr Thr His Ser Thr Val 50 55 60 Leu Gly Leu Tyr Asn Thr Leu Asn Pro Glu Ala Ser Ala Ser Pro Cys 65 70 75 80 Cys Val Pro Gln Asp Leu Glu Pro Leu Thr Ile Leu Tyr Tyr Val Gly 85 90 95 Arg Thr Pro Lys Val Glu Gln Leu Ser Asn Met Val Val Lys Ser Cys 100 105 110 Leu Cys Ser 115 

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolated polynucleotide encoding a GDF-8 polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:31, or SEQ ID NO:33.
 2. An expression vector containing the polynucleotide of claim
 1. 3. The vector of claim 2, wherein the vector is a plasmid.
 4. The vector of claim 2, wherein the vector is a viral vector.
 5. A host cell containing a vector of claim
 2. 6. The host cell of claim 5, wherein the cell is prokaryotic.
 7. The host cell of claim 5, wherein the cell is eukaryotic.
 8. An isolated polynucleotide, comprising a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:30, or SEQ ID NO:32.
 9. An isolated polynucleotide fully complementary to the polynucleotide of claim
 8. 10. An isolated polyribonucleotide comprising a polynucleotide of claim 8, except wherein all of the thymidine residues in the polynucleotide are uridine residues in the polyribonucleotide.
 11. A vector containing the polynucleotide of claim
 8. 12. The vector of claim 11, which is an expression vector.
 13. A host cell containing the isolated polynucleotide of claim
 8. 14. A host cell containing the vector of claim
 11. 